We wish to suggest a structure for the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA). This structure has novel features which are of considerable biological interest.

These fateful words were the introduction of a paper that was to fundamentally change the way biologists looked at and understood living organisms. They were the introduction to a paper by Francis Crick and James Watson describing the molecular structure of DNA. It was to win them the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

Not satisfied with this awe inspiring achievement Francis Crick went on the break the genetic code that determines how DNA is translated into protiens. His interest was then captured by the nature of consciousness, something that we still do not truely understand to this day.

Crick moved from Cambridge to California's Salk Institute for Biological Studies to continue his study of consciousness. The Institute recently honoured him by establishing the Crick-Jacobs Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology which is using computer technology in conjuction with biological techniques to study how genes regulate brain activity.

Of his life-long friend and colleague, James Watson, says

I will always remember Francis for his extraordinarily focused intelligence and for the many ways he showed me kindness and developed my self-confidence

Francis Crick died on 28th July 2004 after a long battle with colon cancer at Thornton Hospital in La Jolla, California, he was 88. Congratulations on a magnificent and fruitful life Francis. If I contribute one tenth of what you did I will be amazed at my own achievement.