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Molecular Biology

Astbury_Camera_1The University of Leeds holds a number of items related to William Astbury (1898-1961), who has been described as one of the ‘fathers’ of molecular biology. The most significant of these is the X-ray diffraction camera (see image) used to take the first ever picture of DNA.

Other relevant items include:

  • A pair of safety glasses impregnated with lead to protect eyes from X-radiation.
  • c.600 lantern slides used by Astbury in his teaching.
  • Two rolls of cine-film labelled 'Astbury Dept of Biophysics'
  • Three boxes of Beevers-Lipson strips.
  • X-ray diffraction photographs taken by Astbury's research fellow Elwyn Beighton.

Click here for more information on Astbury’s life and work.