DNA double helix
April 25th is DNA Day, and here is my version of a double helix. I have been wanting to build one for years, but just finally found a good use of the rounded 1x2 plate (shown in gray) and when used with a standard 1x2 plate (shown in reddish brown), they make a nice sweeping curve that holds a uniform curve. Two opposing spiraling curves form the double helix. The bases connecting them together do their part in keeping the structure from collapsing, as there is no central vertical axis to hold it together.
Being a molecular biologist by profession, I had to make sure that the accuracy of 10 base pairs per helical turn is portrayed correctly. The 4 bases (A, C, G, T) are denoted by their unique color, as normally shown in text books. A pairs up with T and G with C.
I'll try a few other iterations and I'll post them if they turn out any better.
If you are wondering why April 25th is DNA Day, well it's the day when the famous James Watson along with Francis Crick and less famous yet as important Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin published papers on the structure of DNA back in 1953.
Note: If you are planning on trying this out for yourself, I would recommend using axles through the pin connectors, as it will prevent any unintended twist in the base pairs.
DNA double helix
April 25th is DNA Day, and here is my version of a double helix. I have been wanting to build one for years, but just finally found a good use of the rounded 1x2 plate (shown in gray) and when used with a standard 1x2 plate (shown in reddish brown), they make a nice sweeping curve that holds a uniform curve. Two opposing spiraling curves form the double helix. The bases connecting them together do their part in keeping the structure from collapsing, as there is no central vertical axis to hold it together.
Being a molecular biologist by profession, I had to make sure that the accuracy of 10 base pairs per helical turn is portrayed correctly. The 4 bases (A, C, G, T) are denoted by their unique color, as normally shown in text books. A pairs up with T and G with C.
I'll try a few other iterations and I'll post them if they turn out any better.
If you are wondering why April 25th is DNA Day, well it's the day when the famous James Watson along with Francis Crick and less famous yet as important Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin published papers on the structure of DNA back in 1953.
Note: If you are planning on trying this out for yourself, I would recommend using axles through the pin connectors, as it will prevent any unintended twist in the base pairs.