From DNA Structure to Stem Cells - 50 years of Controversial Research

The most important photo ever taken, the X-ray diffraction photograph which led to the discovery of the structure of DNA, came about through a series of lucky coincidences at Kings' College, London.

In a rare public appearance, Professor Raymond Gosling and Prof. Herbert Wilson, who worked with Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, will talk through their experiences of the early DNA research. All these names appeared on the Nature papers describing the structure of DNA, published alongside that of Crick and Watson in April 1953.

As the world notes the 50th anniversary of that publication a lot is being made of the history of DNA research - but at King's the focus remains on the future. Without the discovery of the structure of DNA, stem-cell research would not be possible and, while controversy continues to surround this area of research, Blair has vowed that Britain will become the leader in the field. With one of only two existing UK stem-cell research licences, King's College are as important to our future knowledge of human existence as they have been to mapping its past.