The Structure of DNA

It is 60 years since the publication of the double helix structure of DNA - arguably the most important scientific discovery of the 20th century, and the key to the secret of life. It's also ten years since the publication of the complete human genome, the set of genetic instructions that determines our physical make up.

We look at the circumstances which led to the discovery of DNA's double helix structure, examine its impact in biological science and look to the questions genetic science will tackle in coming years.

Photo credits:
Dr Francis Crick (left) and Professor James Watson with a model of the DNA molecule whose structure they discovered in 1953 - © BBC / DNA Strands from a double helix model © Getty Images / DNA testing © Getty Images