Who is known for their contributions to the understanding of DNA structure through X-ray diffraction?

Rosalind Franklin is recognized for her pivotal contributions to the understanding of DNA structure through her work with X-ray diffraction. Her meticulous experiments produced critical X-ray photographs of DNA, notably Photo 51, which revealed the helical structure of the molecule. This distinctive diffraction pattern provided essential insights into the dimensions and helical nature of DNA, which were instrumental in the eventual formulation of the double helix model by Watson and Crick. Her pioneering use of X-ray crystallography in biology laid the groundwork for biochemistry and genetics, making her contributions foundational to our comprehension of genetic material.