AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO TEACH the Human Genome.

A COLOR-CODED, FLEXIBLE LADDER WITH EPIGENETIC METHYL-SWITCHES.

The “Dynamic DNA Model” is now available!  This is a 38-inch colorful, sturdy, flexible plastic ladder of DNA with 21 rungs.  The model teaches the basic building blocks of DNA using a seven-color-code system

ABOUT THE MODEL

Each rung is comprised of two color-coded nucleic acid half-rungs –either Crimson with Green, or Azure with Tangerine (illustrating the A/T and C/G complimentary pairing).  Each half rung is equipped with white outside sections signifying the deoxyribose sugar (white is chosen since sugar cubes and processed sugar are white).  Separating the rungs are pairs of ball-shaped (with 8 nooks) “phosphate” molecules.  To symbolize the “P” of phosphate, we use the color purple. The final member of the 7-molecule team is the pair of methyl tags, which are colored magenta.  They can be added or removed, modeling the on/off switching of the epigenetic control system.

MANIPULATING THE MODEL:

Each rung, with its two half dowels, is held together as one rung by the action of magnets.  Yet the rungs can break open, with the action of those same embedded magnets, which allow the half-rungs to break open when tugged on.  There are two ergonomic handles—one on each end.

Because the ladder-chain has robust flexibility, it can be laid out flat on a display table, or held vertically, or suspended horizontally in mid-air.  In any of these positions, the model can be twisted into the famous double-helix.

As explained above, the model will zip open just as the DNA molecule “unzips” for transcription of the RNA copy, or for duplication. This is made much easier by the engineering of one of the two handles so that it splits in the middle; it breaks open, when the pull of its embedded magnets is overcome with a tug

EPIGENETIC BONUS!

As mentioned above, each model is equipped with a pair of tiny methyl molecules, a “carbon-head-with-three-hydrogen-ears” (see picture of these tags, pulled out of the slot and laid next to the model).  The methyl tags have two options.  They can be plugged into the two tiny holes on a pair of adjacent-and-cater-corner “C” letters, to show how a gene sequence can be “methylated”—causing it to “rest” or be switched off. The other option is to reverse this action: the methyl tags can be removed from those two “C” half-rungs, making the gene sequence “unmethylated,” which has the effect of “waking up” the gene. It is then activated and ready for transcription into RNA!