Which decade saw significant growth in biotechnology due to the creation of the first synthetic antibiotic and descriptions of DNA structure?

The 1950s marked a foundational period in biotechnology, highlighted by two crucial developments: the creation of the first synthetic antibiotic, which was intended to combat infectious diseases that posed a major health threat, and significant descriptive breakthroughs regarding the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick. These advancements laid the groundwork for modern molecular biology and genetic engineering.

The creation of synthetic antibiotics during this time represented a significant innovation in pharmaceuticals, allowing for more effective treatment options. Meanwhile, the elucidation of DNA's double helix structure provided insight into the genetic code, enabling future biotechnological advancements such as recombinant DNA technology.

Though later decades witnessed further advancements and commercial applications of biotechnology, the critical foundational elements established in the 1950s created a trajectory that would lead to the explosive growth seen in the subsequent decades, notably in the 1970s and beyond with the rise of genetic engineering. However, the significant initial strides in antibiotic synthesis and DNA research were indeed rooted in the 1950s, making this decade pivotal in shaping the biotechnology field.