双语新闻：诺贝尔奖章将被首次公开拍卖

英语自学网

　　Nobel Prize medal for discovering DNA structure to be auctioned in April
        　　The Nobel Prize medal awarded to Francis Crick in 1962 for discovering the structure of DNA will be auctioned on April 10 in New York City, Texas-based Heritage Auctions said Monday.
        　　This will be the first time that a Nobel Prize medal is sold at public auction. The opening bid is set for 250,000 dollars.
        　　The medal has been kept in a safe deposit box in California since Crick's widow passed away, and has been consigned to auction by his heirs. It is one of 10 lots consigned by the family, including Crick's endorsed Nobel Prize Check, dated Dec. 10, 1962 and one of his lab coats. The trove also contains nautical logbooks, gardening journals and books from Crick's personal collection.
        　　"This year marks the 60th anniversary of the historic discovery of the structure of DNA and 50 years have passed since Francis Crick was awarded the Nobel Prize," said Kindra Crick, granddaughter of the famous scientist and spokesperson for the family. "For most of that time, the Nobel Prize and the unique personal diploma have been locked up. By auctioning his Nobel it will finally be made available for public display and be well looked after. Our hope is that, by having it available for display, it can be an inspiration to the next generation of scientists."
        　　
       
               

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                　　In addition, the Prize's proceeds will again be used to promote ground-breaking scientific research, as a portion of the sale will be awarded to the new Francis Crick Institute in London set to be completed in 2015.
       
       
                　　"The discovery of the structure of DNA launched a scientific revolution and forever changed human understanding of life," said Sandra Palomino, director of Historical Manuscripts for Heritage Auctions. "This medal is the embodiment of the respect and recognition that came with that momentous breakthrough."
       
       
                　　相关新闻：美国赫里蒂奇拍卖行25日宣布，已故英国科学家弗朗西斯·克里克因发现DNA双螺旋结构获得的1962年诺贝尔生理学或医学奖章将被拍卖。这是历史上首次公开拍卖诺贝尔奖章。
       
       
                　　该奖章起拍价为25万美元，拍卖所得的一部分将赠给位于伦敦的弗朗西斯·克里克研究所。除奖章外，拍卖物品还包括克里克的诺贝尔奖证书、亲自签名的诺贝尔奖金支票以及航海日志、书籍等其私人藏品。拍卖日期为今年4月10日。
       
       
                　　“今年是DNA双螺旋结构这一历史发现的60周年纪念，克里克被授予诺贝尔奖也已经过去50多年，”克里克的孙女金德拉·克里克说，“我们希望奖章能够激励下一代科学家”。
       
       
                　　1953年4月25日，克里克和美国科学家詹姆斯·沃森在英国《自然》杂志上发表了一篇名为《核酸的分子结构——DNA的一种可能结构》的短文，首次揭示出人体DNA的双螺旋结构。
       
       
                　　DNA双螺旋结构的发现为基因工程奠定了基础，还使当代医学受益良多。1962年，克里克、沃森和另一位科学家威尔金斯分享了当年诺贝尔生理学或医学奖。