While no single individual can be definitively credited with "discovering" RNA, the discovery of messenger RNA (mRNA) is often attributed to the work of François Gros and François Jacob, along with their respective teams.
The Discovery of Messenger RNA (mRNA)
In May 1961, two groundbreaking articles, published side-by-side in the journal Nature, officially marked the discovery of mRNA. These publications were spearheaded by:
- François Gros (as the first author on one article)
- François Jacob (as the second author on the other article)
Their work built upon earlier research that hinted at the existence of an intermediate molecule responsible for carrying genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Why It's Complicated
It's important to acknowledge that scientific discovery is rarely the result of a single eureka moment. The discovery of RNA, in general, was a process involving numerous researchers over time:
- Early Identification: RNA was identified as a distinct molecule from DNA much earlier.
- Ongoing Research: Understanding its various forms and functions has been an ongoing process ever since.
The identification of mRNA, however, was a pivotal step in understanding the central dogma of molecular biology.
In summary:
While RNA itself wasn't discovered by a single person, the critical identification of messenger RNA (mRNA) is most notably attributed to the research led by François Gros and François Jacob in the early 1960s. This discovery was a major advancement in understanding how genetic information is used to create proteins.
