Nobel prize medal auction for DNA works

The Nobel Prize medal awarded to British researcher Francis Crick with DNA structure discovery in 1962 has been sold for $ 2.27 million at an auction held in New York City (USA) on April 11.

This is the first time a Nobel medal has been auctioned.

According to Heritage Auctions, the new medal owner is Jack Wang, CEO of Biomobie Biopharmaceutical Company of China.

Nobel Prize medal. (Source: CORBIS)

Most of the proceeds will go to the research institute named Crick scientist in the capital of London, expected to be inaugurated in 2015.

The medal has been preserved in California city since the wife of Crick scientist died and was auctioned by heirs. Director of Heritage Auctions, Ms. Sandra Palomino, commented: "The discovery of DNA structure is a scientific revolution, changing the understanding of humanity about life. This medal is the embodiment of respect and recognition ".

A day earlier, Mr Crick's letter to his 12-year-old son announced that the discovery was also sold for more than $ 6 million at Christie's auction house. This higher price is estimated at $ 1-2 million from the organizers and is the highest price in the world for a letter.

Mr. Francis Crick (1910-2004) is a biologist, molecular physicist, and a researcher of the nervous system. Fifty years ago, he and two researchers James Watson and Maurice Wilkins co-received the Nobel Prize for their work to explore the double helical structure of DNA, which laid the foundation for evaluated molecular biology is one of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century.