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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social

@monkeynutcoat.bsky.social
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Extra reason to celebrate when I was at England's Test victory at Headingley last week with discovery that blue plaque on former home of pioneering scientist William Astbury opposite @yorkshireccc.bsky.social ground is now an official ‘Pokestop’ in online Pokemon Go game! @astburycentre.bsky.social
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Scientist William Astbury was described as ‘Scholar, musician, bon viveur, humorist, swashbuckler’ but to this can now be added a new accolade. Whilst at #TestMatch on Fri, was delighted to learn that blue plaque to Astbury opposite cricket ground, is official ‘Pokestop’ in online Pokemon Go game!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Very much looking forward to speaking with my co-author Ralf Dahm but also hearing Adrian Woolfson in autumnal afternoon double-bill of science on Sat 10th Oct at this year’s @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social …https://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/40-kersten-hall-ralf-dahm-the-discovery-of-dna
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Christmas Day come early when this package arrived this morning. May well also be only book about DNA story to also reference TV shows #GreatBritishBakeOff’ & #BattlestarGalactica, as well as cartoon of Sisyphus rolling his boulder up double-helical coils of DNA. That’s got to be a first, surely?
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Looking forward to taking a stroll down Victoria Quarter in city centre to see scientists Florence Bell & William Astbury in Science and Nature section of #trivialpursuitleeds which runs until 30th Aug. Big thanks to Tom Arber, Chapter 81 for taking this photo at the official press launch
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Delighted to get wool/DNA story into Science & Nature section for #trivialpursuitleeds & attend official press launch at #LeedsCityMuseum last Friday as part of celebrations of #Leeds400! Well done to everyone involved esp LeedsBID team & a big thanks to Tom Arber @Chapter81 for great photos!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Numerous references to team ‘DNA’ by studio pundits in #BBC coverage of #2026WorldCup Final last night. Swiss scientist Friedrich Miescher who first isolated the stuff in 1869 thanks to some pus soaked old bandages would have been delighted to see his discovery getting this kind of attention!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Great to see flyers for new book 'The Dawn Fisherman' on display at History of Science Society/ European Society for History of Science conference in Edinburgh last week -a massive thanks to editor Frida Trotter for this - and all her unflagging patience and support during the writing process!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
What better way to take a coffee break whilst writing about #DNA than with this wonderful #QuentinBlake illustrated mug that I received for Father’s Day. Plenty of room too to add a few other names & faces...such as Friedrich Miescher - due to appear in my new book ‘The Dawn Fisherman’ next month…
Coffee mug commemorating the discovery of the structure of DNA, the genetic material - showing cartoon depiction by illustrator Quentin Blake of scientists Rosalind Franklin, James Watson and Francis Crick
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
@pintofscience.uk A big thanks to all the Leeds @pintofscience team for putting together such a great evening at #TheAttic on Wednesday night - and also for the gift of my #pint26 beer glass - which is already being put to good use…
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Should have added that, as Leeds celebrates 400th anniversary this year since being granted its first royal charter, the warm glow of provincial pride that this 1952 Yorkshire Post headline always brings just got a little warmer...#WhatsYour400
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Alan Bennett, Kaiser Chiefs, a legendary 1981 Ashes - just a few landmarks for Leeds as the city celebrates #WhatsYour400 & tomorrow eve (20th) I'll be explaining @pintofscience festival #pint26 why an overcoat made from monkeynuts can now be added to this list… pintofscience.co.uk/event/unmask...
pintofscience.co.uk
Unmasked: Discovering the hidden world of the body through art
See how science and creativity illuminate the unseen: Kersten reveals how ordinary wool fibres and monkeynut coats inspire a new DNA understanding. Kelly g…
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
@astburycentre.bsky.social Will be giving #AstburyCentre a plug this Wed eve (20th) when I'm giving a talk @pintofscience The Attic, Leeds about how fictional scientist Sidney Stratton may have had real life counterpart in Astbury & his monkeynut coat! pintofscience.co.uk/event/unmask...
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
...then, bike ride home took me past this lesser known landmark of #theOtleyRun' pub crawl- a blue plaque unveiled by Leeds Phil and Lit Society in 2019 to commemorate the very achievement celebrated in that 1952 Yorkshire Post headline!
Blue plaque on stone gatepost that is all that remains of what was once the laboratories of the Wool Industries Research Association (WIRA) on Headingley Lane, Leeds, UK - unveiled in 2019 by Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, the plaque commemorates the work of scientists Archer Martin and Richard Synge that was done there in 1941 and earned them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 11 years later.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Spent much of this morning battling with an obstinate digital microfilm reader in the bowels of Brotherton Library, University of Leeds, but well worth the effort to obtain this gem of a headline from 5th Nov 1952 edition of Yorkshire Post and Mercury which brings a warm glow of provincial pride…
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Big thanks to organisers @pintofscience #pint26 for invitation to talk about whether, thanks to a monkeynut coat, 1951 Ealing classic ‘Man in the White Suit’ may have had real life counterpart - as well as how Yorkshire wool research helped unravel DNA structure! pintofscience.co.uk/event/unmask...
pintofscience.co.uk
Unmasked: Discovering the hidden world of the body through art
See how science and creativity illuminate the unseen: Kersten reveals how ordinary wool fibres and monkeynut coats inspire a new DNA understanding. Kelly g…
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Tomorrow (25th April) is #DNADay - but should it really be celebrated on 26th Feb - date of Swiss scientist F Miescher's excited 1869 letter to his uncle about novel cellular substance he had found in nucleus which he called 'nuclein' but today known as DNA? theconversation.com/our-unsung-h...
theconversation.com
Our unsung hero of science: Friedrich Miescher, the man who discovered DNA
Working on human pus in a medieval castle, Miescher discovered a substance that would eventually unlock our understanding of how life works.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
@thednageek.bsky.social Wonder whether DNA Day should really be celebrated on 26 Feb - date of Swiss scientist F Miescher's excited 1869 letter to his uncle about novel cellular substance he had found in nucleus which he called 'nuclein' but today known as DNA? theconversation.com/our-unsung-h... 🙂
theconversation.com
Our unsung hero of science: Friedrich Miescher, the man who discovered DNA
Working on human pus in a medieval castle, Miescher discovered a substance that would eventually unlock our understanding of how life works.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Great to be able to display at #AstburyConv2026 X-ray camera used for early work on DNA structure. A fascinating two days - having not used a Gilson pipette since 2005, was gripped by talks on programmable cells, self-organising structures & synthetic protocells. @astburycentre.bsky.social
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
A big thanks to organisers of #AstburyConv2026 for invitation to talk about William Astbury & why molecular origami used to weave his overcoat from peanut proteins may well have been one of the first examples of the conference’s theme - ‘Designing Biology’. Congratulations on a great two days!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Delighted to have had opportunity recently to give a talk to 6th form at my son’s school not, for a change, about forgotten scientists but instead about a forgotten corner of modern Europe & why its stories may still matter to us. Even more delighted that they kindly gave me impromptu promotion!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Spotted this while waiting to change trains at Peterborough station recently & was prompted to post it after finishing series 2 of ‘Shrinking’ on AppleTV over Easter weekend. If you’ve seen the show, you’ll know what I mean - & well done to Steve, whoever you may be, for reminding us of this.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
@girtoncollege.bsky.social 'The Eagle' in Cambridge has Watson & Crick, but delighted 'The Golden Beam' Headingley, Leeds now has Girton alumnus & physicist Florence Bell on their wall who, whilst working in Dept. of Textiles here in 1938, first showed X-rays could be used to reveal DNA structure!
Print portrait of scientist Florence Bell who, working in the lab of William Astbury at Leeds in 1938, first showed that X-rays could be used to reveal the regular, ordered structure of DNA. The print is a mosaic made up of tiny images from scientific papers and was made by artist and staff member Kristina Keller at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the USA where the original (based on a photo kindly provided by Mr Chris Sawyer) hangs outside the cafe on the Janelia campus.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
@astburycentre.bsky.social If delegates to #AstburyConvo26 feel they need a break to take in some liquid refreshment & the historical roots of structural biology, then why not stroll up to ‘Golden Beam’ where Astbury’s fellow pioneer of X-ray methods in biology, Florence Bell now hangs on wall!!!
Print portrait of scientist Florence Bell who, working in the lab of William Astbury at Leeds in 1938, first showed that X-rays could be used to reveal the regular, ordered structure of DNA. The print is a mosaic made up of tiny images from scientific papers and was made by artist and staff member Kristina Keller at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the USA where the original (based on a photo kindly provided by Mr Chris Sawyer) hangs outside the cafe on the Janelia campus.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
And resulted this week in me making what must surely be the first ever #DNA themed pub crawl - visiting both 'The Eagle' in Cambridge where Watson & Crick used to meet...and now Golden Beam in Headingley, Leeds - city where in 1938 Bell 1st showed that X-rays could be used to reveal DNA structure.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
The print was based on a photo kindly provided by Mr Chris Sawyer, & made as a mosaic of tiny images from scientific papers by artist & staff member Kristina Keller & kindly sent to me by Sarah Moorehead @hhmijanelia.bsky.social. R Franklin may have a Mars Rover, but great to see Bell at the Beam!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
A big thanks to manager Chris of The Golden Beam @wetherspoonspub.bsky.social in Headingley, Leeds for taking up my suggestion to hang portrait of DNA scientist Florence Bell alongside other distinguished former residents such as #JRRTolkien, #AlanBennett, as well as fair few cricketing legends...
Print portrait of scientist Florence Bell who, working in the lab of William Astbury at Leeds in 1938, first showed that X-rays could be used to reveal the regular, ordered structure of DNA. The print is a mosaic made up of tiny images from scientific papers and was made by artist and staff member Kristina Keller at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the USA where the original (based on a photo kindly provided by Mr Chris Sawyer) hangs outside the cafe on the Janelia campus.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
What happens when, thanks to AI & synthetic biology, life becomes programmable? Speaking at 6pm GMT this eve to the Royal Society of Arts, Prof. @adrianwoolfson.bsky.social , author of 'On the Future of Species' offers an answer...v much looking forward to this - www.thersa.org/events/2026/...
thersa.org
Adrian Woolfson: on the future of species
Adrian Woolfson and Helen Czerski engage in a thought-provoking conversation on AI and synthetic biology at The RSA.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Big thanks to @adrianwoolfson.bsky.social for invitation to attend great launch event this week at Daunt’s bookshop, London for his new book ‘On the Future of Species’. Held on 11th Feb for Darwin’s birthday event was also mini Leeds HPS outing thanks to my colleagues Lizzie Schulz & Greg Radick!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
With new book 'The Dawn Fisherman' out soon, delighted to have explained with co-author Ralf Dahm to @meganwollerton.bsky.social at National Geographic how pus, old bandages (& later, salmon gonads!) led to discovery of DNA in freezing cold castle kitchen! www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
nationalgeographic.com
The discovery of DNA started with this overlooked scientist
In 1869, Swiss scientist Friedrich Miescher isolated a mysterious substance from cell nuclei—an overlooked finding that would later reshape biology and our understanding of life itself.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Staying on theme of #DesigningBiology have just enjoyed listening to @adrianwoolfson.bsky.social discuss his new book ‘The Future of Species’ on Radio 4 Start the Week - very much looking forward to going along to London launch event for this in a couple of weeks’ time! www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Start the Week - Biology, technology and the future - BBC Sounds
Adam Rutherford asks what it might mean if we can build human bodies and minds.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Perfect timing! With #DesigningBiology as theme of #AstburyConvo26 @astburycentre.bsky.social have just written piece for @sciencehistory.org about molecular origami behind Astbury’s monkeynut coat as v early (albeit crude) example of redesigning biomolecules. www.sciencehistory.org/education/sc...
sciencehistory.org
William Astbury
A pioneer in the field of molecular biology, Astbury used X-ray crystallography to study molecular structures within living organisms.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
A hearty round of applause to Canadian PM #MarkCarney for this speech. Reassuring to know that there is at least still one grown-up in the room. www.facebook.com/maninthemonk...
facebook.com
KT Hall
A round of applause from me to Canadian PM Mark Carney for this. Reassuring to know that there is still at least one grown-up in the room.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Christmas may be behind us but am very much enjoying one gift in particular that I received this year - new biog of Francis Crick by @matthewcobb.bsky.social Heard there may be new film adaptation of hit stage play 'Photo 51’ on the way - if so, scriptwriters would do well to read this book…
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Just received promotional flyer from publishers #springernature for new book’ The Dawn Fisherman’ - a labour of love for the past few years by myself & #RalfDahm & quite possibly the only book about DNA to also feature a double-helical cake. Due out in Feb & feels very good to have got here at last!
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Congratulations to my old friend & former university housemate #pculpepper@bsky.social Professor of Political Science, #blavatnikschool@bsky.social - on his new book ‘Billionaire Backlash’ making it into last weekend’s edition of FT! Looking forward to reading it! www.bloomsbury.com/uk/billionai...
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Writer CP Snow once warned that arts & sciences had become ‘two cultures’. Thankfully for us all, however there are exceptions - such as my co-author, Dr. Ralf Dahm, who will bridge Snow's chasm on 12/1/26 7.30pm GMT in online talk to Leeds Phil & Lit www.leedsphilandlit.org.uk/shop/seeing-...
leedsphilandlit.org.uk
Seeing the World through Failing Eyes - Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society
How Eye Diseases Affect Vision & Transformed the Work of Famous Painters - Dr Ralf Dahm
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Went to local carol service other night where ‘While Shepherds Watched’ was sung not to regular tune that everyone knows but its original traditional arrangement which turns out to be…none other than Yorkshire’s very own national anthem, ‘On Ilkley Moor’!!! Give it a try if you're not convinced!
View from Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Lake District connection to #DNA story? Yes(sort of) - Dec 1942, scientist #FlorenceBell was married in St Mary's church, #Ambleside (shown here) before emigrating with new husband to USA…alas never to resume groundbreaking work she had begun on DNA structure whilst working in Leeds 5 years earlier…
St. Mary's church, Ambleside rises through morning mistSt. Mary's church, Ambleside rises up through morning mists - one the one day this week that it wasn't raining!St. Mary's church, Ambleside where scientist Florence Bell who first showed that X-rays could be used to reveal structure of DNA was married in Dec 1942
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Delighted with my co-author Ralf Dahm to have given what may well be only talk on DNA to also include #GreatBritishBakeOff as we explored life of F Miescher, tragic subject of our new book ‘The Dawn Fisherman’ Thanks to #RoyalSocietyChemistry Hist Group for video! www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiYS...
youtube.com
Kersten Hall and Ralf Dahm: Friedrich Miescher and Discovery of DNA
YouTube video by Royal Society of Chemistry
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
My own seasonal celebration of link between @universityofleeds.bsky.social textiles & #DNA story - origami double helices hung from strands of wool for community Christmas tree festival this weekend in St. Michael’s church, #Headingley. A childhood watching Blue Peter has left a lasting influence…
A Christmas tree decorated with origami DNA helices hung by strands of wool to represent the part played by Leeds textiles research in the first attempts to solve the structure of DNA
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
@universityofleeds.bsky.social wins Queen Elizabeth Prize for Higher Education thanks to 150 years of textiles research! Delighted that my years digging around in archives to explore how this led to 1st attempts at DNA structure played small part in this honour spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/queen-elizab...
spotlight.leeds.ac.uk
The Fabric of Society
The University of Leeds’ 150 years of outstanding textile research has been recognised by the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize for Higher and Further Education – part of the UK national Honours syste...
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Reposted by @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social
University of Leeds @universityofleeds.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
The prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize for Higher and Further Education – part of the UK national Honours system – recognises Leeds’ outstanding, 150-years of textile research. We delve into the history and explore the innovation driving the next chapter 👇 www.leeds.ac.uk/qep
Graphic featuring a person examining textile samples in a lab, with text saying "Leeds recognised with the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education" and sub-text saying "Honouring the University's 150-years of research, innovation and global impact in textiles.
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
With only a week before grand finale of #strangerthings have just watched previous 4 seasons to jog memory & noticed much mention of black widow spiders in season 4. As veteran fan of #dungeonsanddragons am hoping this means that we might be treated to an appearance by another classic villain...
Cover of classic 1980 Dungeons and Dragons adventure module Q1 'Queen of the Demonweb Pits'Statistics for Lolth, demon queen of spiders from 1980 Dungeons and Dragons adventure module 1 'Queen of the Demonweb Pits'
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
With coauthor Ralf Dahm, am looking forward to telling Royal Society of Chemistry Historical Group how, nearly 100 years before #jameswatson & #franciscrick double-helix, Friedrich Miescher discovered DNA - only to die aged 51 crushed by sense of failure…all told in our new book…#SpringerNature 2026
Cover of 'The Dawn Fisherman' - new book by Kersten Hall and Ralf Dahm telling the story of how Swiss scientist Friedrich Miescher discovered DNA
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
…and while #Photo51 (or its twin) alone not enough for #jameswatson to solve DNA structure, names of Astbury, Bell, Beighton & how first attempts to crack DNA structure grew out of Northern textiles research would all be better known today had Watson been shown Beighton’s photo #oupacademic
Cover of 2022 paperback edition of 'The Man in the Monkeynut Coat' (Oxford University Press) by Kersten HallThe 'other' Photo 51 - taken by Elwyn Beighton in William Astbury's laboratory at University of Leeds in 1951
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Who knew #Photo51 taken in 1952 by #rosalind_franklin & R Gosling has forgotten twin!!?? Identical image taken #universityofleeds in 1951 & might well have come to attention of #jameswatson had scientist #WTAstbury only been as good a comedian as he was at applying physics to biology…#oupacademic
Photo 51 - X-ray diffraction image taken of B-form DNA by Rosalind Franklin and Raymond Gosling at King's College, London in 1952X-ray diffraction pattern of B-form DNA taken by Elwyn Beighton in lab of William Astbury at University of Leeds in 1951Cover of 2022 paperback edition of 'The Man in the Monkeynut Coat' (Oxford University Press) by Kersten Hall
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
With renewed interest in discovery of #doublehelix following death of #jameswatson, who’d have thought that first attempts to crack structure of #DNA began with research into wool fibres in North of England thanks to scientists WT Astbury & F Bell!!?? #universityofleeds #OUPAcademic
Cover of 2022 edition of 'The Man in the Monkeynut Coat' by Kersten Hall (Oxford University Press)
Photo from 1944 newspaper article about pioneering scientist William Astbury (1898-1961)

Portrait of scientist Florence Bell (1913-2000) who in 1938 first showed that X-ray methods could be used to reveal regular, ordered structure of DNA
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
How bizarre that I should be teaching myself how to fold origami DNA helices for use as somewhat unconventional Christmas tree decorations when I heard the news this weekend about scientist James Watson
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monkeynutcoat.bsky.social @monkeynutcoat.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Usually if I write to newspapers, it’s to bang on about long dead scientists who no-one has heard of…but while a bit outside my home turf of history of science, review of new film Tron Ares in recent weekend Financial Times prompted me to write in response to make what (I hope!) is a serious point…
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