Core Points - James Watson, known as the "father of DNA," passed away at the age of 97 [1] - Watson, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 for discovering the double helix structure of DNA [3] Group 1: Contributions to Science - Watson served as the director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory from 1968, focusing on cancer research [4] - He expressed a desire to establish the Watson Life Science Center in China, aiming to develop affordable cancer therapies [4] - Watson believed that humanity could potentially cure cancer within the next 50 years, having studied the disease for over a decade [4] Group 2: Personal Philosophy and Legacy - Watson shared his views on life, suggesting that living longer comes with high costs, including increased medical expenses [4] - He encouraged young people to maintain humility and continuously learn from peers, emphasizing the importance of a humble learning attitude [4] - Watson left a memorable message for students at Southern University of Science and Technology, urging them to "Avoid boring People!" [5]

Core Viewpoint - James Watson, a pivotal figure in 20th-century science and co-discoverer of the DNA double helix structure, passed away at the age of 97, marking the end of an era in molecular biology [2][11]. Group 1: Discovery of DNA Structure - Watson and Francis Crick proposed the double helix structure of DNA, inspired by Rosalind Franklin's X-ray images, with their findings published in Nature on April 25, 1953 [3][9]. - The discovery of the DNA double helix is regarded as a landmark in biology, comparable to Darwin's theory of evolution, and it laid the foundation for the field of molecular biology [9][11]. Group 2: Academic and Research Contributions - From 1956 to 1976, Watson taught at Harvard University, advancing molecular biology research [10]. - Watson served as the director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory starting in 1968, significantly enhancing its funding and research capabilities, and later became its honorary president [10]. Group 3: Controversies and Legacy - Watson faced controversy in 2007 for suggesting a genetic link between intelligence and race, leading to his resignation from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory [10]. - His works include the textbook "Molecular Biology of the Gene" (1965) and the bestseller "The Double Helix" (1968), and he played a role in establishing the Human Genome Project, completed in 2003 [10].