In the concluding statement of Watson and Crick's seminal paper introducing the atomic structure of DNA, they write,"It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated mediately suggests a possible copying mecha the genetic material (Watson, JD Crick, 1953)" Some consider this one of the biggest understatements in modern biology, but Watson and Crick couldn't confirm the mechanism for copying DNA because of lack of hard evidence. The scientists were racing to publish ahead of their competitors, so they included the statement to be able to introduce the model before proof was available. The base-pairing inherent to the structure of DNA certainly strongly suggested a mechanism for creating an identical copy of the DNA, but it wasn't proven until Meselson and Stahl (1958) carried out their classic study. Not only was this a landmark experiment for the essential process it helped to define, but it was also recognized for its elegant simplicity For these reasons. Meselson and Stahl (1958) is an ideal paper to introduce students to the art of reading papers and appreciating beautiful science. This resource is a facilitator's guide to help run a discussion session for senior undergraduate or junior graduate students. Reference: M Meselson and FW Stahl (1958) The Replication of DNA in Escherichia coli. Proc Natl Acad Sci 44:671-682 1. Just a few years before this paper was published, Watson and Crick (1953) published the structure of DNA. What were the main elements of their model? 2. At the time the paper was written the authors indicated that "hypotheses for the mechanism of DNA replication differ in the predictions they make concerning the distribution among progeny molecules of atoms derived from parental molecules (Meselson & Stahl, 1958)* What were the main competing models for the mechanism of DNA replication? Which model was favored by Watson and Crick? 3. What technique did Meselson and Stahl use to test whether any of these models appeared to be at work? What were the goals of the control experiments performed by Meselson and Stahl? 4. How many generations of DNA replication must be examined to reach a definitive conclusion? Do Meselson and Stahl's results point to a particular model of DNA replication?
In the concluding statement of Watson and Crick's seminal paper introducing the atomic structure
of DNA, they write,"It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated
mediately suggests a possible copying mecha the genetic material (Watson, JD
Crick, 1953)" Some consider this one of the biggest understatements in modern biology, but
Watson and Crick couldn't confirm the mechanism for copying DNA because of lack of hard
evidence. The scientists were racing to publish ahead of their competitors, so they included the
statement to be able to introduce the model before proof was available. The base-pairing inherent
to the structure of DNA certainly strongly suggested a mechanism for creating an identical copy of
the DNA, but it wasn't proven until Meselson and Stahl (1958) carried out their classic study. Not
only was this a landmark experiment for the essential process it helped to define, but it was also
recognized for its elegant simplicity
For these reasons. Meselson and Stahl (1958) is an ideal paper to introduce students to the art of
reading papers and appreciating beautiful science. This resource is a facilitator's guide to help run
a discussion session for senior undergraduate or junior graduate students.
Reference: M Meselson and FW Stahl (1958) The Replication of DNA in Escherichia coli. Proc
Natl Acad Sci 44:671-682
1. Just a few years before this paper was published, Watson and Crick (1953) published the structure
of DNA. What were the main elements of their model?
2. At the time the paper was written the authors indicated that "hypotheses for the mechanism of
replication
of atoms derived from parental molecules (Meselson & Stahl, 1958)* What were the main
competing models for the mechanism of DNA replication? Which model was favored by Watson
and Crick?
3. What technique did Meselson and Stahl use to test whether any of these models appeared to be at
work? What were the goals of the control experiments performed by Meselson and Stahl?
4. How many generations of DNA replication must be examined to reach a definitive conclusion? Do
Meselson and Stahl's results point to a particular model of DNA replication?
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