Linus Pauling and the Race for DNA: A Documentary History is comprised of three large sub-sections, each of which tells the story of the discovery of the double helix in a different way. Navigation between sub-sections may be achieved either through use of the links provided on the site homepage or through use of the links located in the header of each page within the site.

Narrative - The first section - a thirty-four "chapter" Narrative - recounts the saga of the discovery from the largely unknown viewpoint of the major "loser" in the race: the phenomenal American chemist Linus Pauling (1901-1994). There are three components to each page of the Narrative. On the left is a table of contents, which grants easy navigation from chapter to chapter. In the center is the text of the Narrative - text which also includes links to an array of audio-visual materials as well as access to biographical information covering each of the major participants in the saga. (The Narrative text also utilizes "see also" links to documents which provide further information about the subject matter discussed on each page). Illustrations and quotations amplifying the narrative text are located on the right. Larger versions of all thumbnail illustrations may be accessed by clicking on the thumbnail.

All Documents and Media - Linus Pauling and the Race for DNA: A Documentary History provides unprecedented access to over three hundred primary source materials, including letters, manuscripts, diary entries, photographs, audio-visual materials and published papers. All documents which relate directly to the discovery of DNA may be accessed through the View All Documents and Media section through links entitled "Correspondence", "Key Participants", "Published Papers", "Manuscript Notes and Typescripts", "Pictures and Illustrations", "Quotes", "Audio Clips" and "Video Clips". As with the illustrations in the Narrative, the thumbnail images in View All Documents and Media may be enlarged by clicking on the thumbnail.

Linus Pauling Day-by-Day - This section consists of a comprehensive account of all of Pauling's personal and professional endeavors in the years 1952 and 1953. The information on Linus Pauling Day-by-Day is presented in calendar form, with scanned images of documents and photographs accompanying the text. The text and images are posted for each day of Pauling's activities during this two-year period.