Famous Geneticists

Towering Figures in the History of Genetics

Crick and Watson may well be the names that trip off the tongue when most people are asked to identify pioneering geneticists. But behind these two scientific giants is a crowd of equally brilliant researchers whose major contributions to the field have...

John Gurdon, British Developmental Biologist

Born on 2 October 1933 to affluent and supportive parents, John Gurdon was interested in biological things from an early age. He studied the Classics at Eton and then went on to study embryology at Oxford. He's most famous for his landmark research...

The Scientific Experiments of Hans Spemann

Hans Spemann's work in embryology led to many advances in developmental biology. He's a key figure in the history of genetics and embryology.

George Palade: The Cell Biologist Who Discovered Ribosomes

George Palade has been described as the founder of cell biology. He did ground-breaking research in the structure of the cell and its functioning.

Hans Spemann: Nobel Prize Laureate and Father of Cloning

Hans Spemann is widely considered the ‘Father of Cloning’. His experiments in embryology helped pave the way towards modern advances in developmental biology.

What Did Rosalind Franklin Discover?

Rosalind Franklin is perhaps molecular biology's most famous tragedy. Her work on the double helix was crucial for Watson and Crick's discovery, yet she failed to receive the credit she deserved during her young life. Learn more about this famed...

James Watson the World Famous Geneticist

Working out the structure of DNA was one of the Holy Grails of biological science. Then along came James Watson and Francis Crick and untangled the helix, so to speak. So who is James Watson?

Pioneers in Genetics: D. Bernard Amos and the Genetics of Individuality

This article highlights the achievements, both research and organizational of D. Bernard Amos (1923-2003), a distinguished scientist whose work greatly improved our understanding of the genetics of individuality and how this could be exploited...

Profiles in Genetics: Herbert Boyer

This article profiles Herbert Boyer, co-creator of the world's first genetically engineered organism and co-founder of biotech giant Genentech, Inc.

Who is Craig Venter?

Craig Venter is arguably one of the most famous scientists in genetics research. He was involved in the race to map the human genome and some people refer to him as the 'Bill Gates' of biotechnology.