Who discovered DNA in 1869 and isolated phosphate-rich acidic compounds?

Friedrich Miescher is credited with the discovery of DNA in 1869 when he isolated a substance from the nuclei of white blood cells. He called this new compound "nuclein," which was rich in phosphate and had acidic properties. Miescher's work laid the foundation for later research in genetics and molecular biology, as he was the first to identify the substance that would eventually be recognized as DNA. His discovery was significant because it shifted the understanding of biological molecules and initiated further studies into their structure and function, leading to the modern understanding of DNA as the carrier of genetic information.