On November 6, 2025, Dr. James Watson, the co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, passed away, symbolically marking the end of a groundbreaking era in molecular biology.

Watson was born in 1928 in Chicago. In March 1953, together with Francis Crick, he developed the spatial model of the double-helix structure of DNA. For this discovery, he received the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, along with Crick and Maurice Wilkins.

To honor the memory of Dr. James Watson, the Director of IBCH PAS, Prof. Luiza Handschuh, together with Prof. Jan Barciszewski, organized a commemorative seminar combined with a screening of “Life Story”, a film depicting the history of the discovery of the DNA structure.

During the event, Professor Barciszewski presented Watson’s biography and scientific career – he spoke about the background of deciphering the “secret of life”, as well as various anecdotes and lesser-known aspects of the life of this remarkable scientist. He also recalled Watson’s visit to Poland in 2008, including the ceremony at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS in Warsaw, where a memorial plaque honoring the Lwów professors murdered in 1941 – funded by Professor Wacław Szybalski – was unveiled. Watson also visited Lublin, Kraków, and Zamość, where he delivered lectures and met with Polish researchers and students.

The seminar was a unique opportunity to reflect on Watson’s discovery and its significance for the development of science.