Genes, Girls, And Gamow: After The Double Helix.JAMES D. WATSON James Dewey Watson (born April 6, 1928) is an American molecular biologist, best known as one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA. Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries concerning the In a sequel to his first autobiography, The Double Helix double helix n. The coiled structure of a double-stranded DNA molecule in which strands linked by hydrogen bonds form a spiral configuration. Also called DNA helix, Watson-Crick helix. , the codiscoverer of DNA'S structure reveals the details of his life in science and in love after the years covered by the earlier book. Since his discovery with Francis Crick came in 1953, when Watson Wat·son , James Dewey Born 1928. American biologist who with Francis Crick proposed a spiral model, the double helix, for the molecular structure of DNA. He shared a 1962 Nobel Prize for advances in the study of genetics. was only 25, there is much territory to cover here. Watson does so in an entertaining and lively fashion. Stories of his encounters and work with some of the leading scientists of the 20th century include Linus Pauling, Richard Feynman, and especially George Gamow, the Russian physicist with whom Watson founded the legendary RNA-Tie Club. Watson's continued relationship with his DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. co discoverer is also revealed. Furthermore, Watson documents his and others' pursuit to understand the role of the RNA RNA: see nucleic acid. RNA in full ribonucleic acid One of the two main types of nucleic acid (the other being DNA), which functions in cellular protein synthesis in all living cells and replaces DNA as the carrier of genetic molecule. When he wasn't busy chasing the building blocks of genetics, he was busy chasing biologist Ernst Mayr's daughter, among others, in a quest to find a wife. Reprints of many letters Watson received from the stars of this book provide an entertaining closing to this volume. Knopf, 2001, 304 p., b&w photos, hardcover, $26.00. |
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