WILLIAM ASTBURY

BIRTH AND DEATH

Birth: 2/25/1898     Death: 6/4/1961

OCCUPATION

scientist

BIOGRAPHY SUMMARY

William Thomas Astbury FRS was an English physicist and molecular biologist who made pioneering X-ray diffraction studies of biological molecules. His work on keratin provided the foundation for Linus Pauling's discovery of the a-helix. He also studied the structure for DNA in 1937 and made the first step in the elucidation of its structure.

NOTABLE WORK

WHY THEY MATTER

William Astbury was intellectually unique for his pioneering work in using X-ray diffraction to study biological molecules, particularly keratin, which laid the groundwork for later discoveries such as the a-helix by Linus Pauling. His early investigations into the structure of DNA in 1937 marked a crucial first step towards understanding its molecular structure, showcasing his groundbreaking contributions to the field of molecular biology.

FAMOUS QUOTE

WIKIPEDIA PAGE

Wikipedia Page