Noted figure in genetic research Crossword Clue

 The noted figure in genetic research that is the answer to the crossword clue is James D. Watson. He is an American molecular biologist who, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, is credited with discovering the double helix structure of DNA. This discovery was a major breakthrough in biology and has had a profound impact on our understanding of life. 

Watson was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1928. He studied at the University of Chicago and the California Institute of Technology, where he earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology in 1953. After completing his Ph.D., Watson moved to Cambridge University in England, where he worked with Crick and Wilkins to solve the structure of DNA.

The double helix structure of DNA is a spiral staircase made up of two strands of nucleotides. The nucleotides are molecules that contain the genetic information of a living organism. The double helix structure of DNA allows the genetic information to be passed from one generation to the next.

Watson's work on the structure of DNA was a major breakthrough in biology. It has led to a better understanding of how genes work and how they are inherited. It has also led to the development of new technologies, such as genetic engineering, that have the potential to revolutionize medicine and agriculture.

Watson is a controversial figure. He has been criticized for his views on race and intelligence. However, his work on the structure of DNA is undeniable and he is considered one of the most important scientists of the 20th century.