The structure of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA was discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. This discovery changed science forever as the DNA molecule was proven to be the genetic material used in the development and functioning of all organisms. Discovering the double helical structure of DNA explained how the anti-parallel base pairing of the nucleotides allow for the copying of the genetic code that is responsible for heredity, development, and evolution- in short finally understanding the secret of life. It almost seems unimaginable how these two scientists could have made such an important and long lasting discovery that has contributed numerous additional breakthroughs in science and medicine, such as the mapping of the human genome, none of which would have been possible without Watson and Crick, who shared the Nobel prize in 1962 for their work.
My article on Medium, The Discovery of DNA, explores this achievement in more depth.
Adrian Chernyk: Health & Indigenous Australians 