Are you interested in creating your own DNA model? If so, try awakening the artist in you and modeling DNA from polymer clay or wire and beads to create a project that is sure to win any science festival.
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Method 1 of 2: Making a Model Out of Clay
Step 1. Gather the required equipment
To make a DNA model from clay, you will first need the clay of your choice. Polymer clay in 6 colors will suffice, with the additional tools you will use to shape the clay (such as a plastic knife or rolling pin).
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If you plan to show your DNA model when you're done, prepare a foundation to lay on. Small wooden planks that are nailed, for example, can be used to place DNA models.
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You will need to bake/heat the polymer clay when you are done shaping it, so make sure you have an oven..
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You can choose to use flexible wire to provide additional support for your DNA model.
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Step 2. Make 2 long strands as a double helix shape (double helix DNA molecule)
Choose a color of polymer clay, and roll it into pieces about 30 cm long and 1.2 cm thick. this will form the sides of the DNA strand, so make sure the clay is strong enough so the rest of the pieces can fit together without a problem.
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For added support, you can wrap the clay between 2 long flexible wires.
Build a DNA Model Step 2Bullet1 - You can freely change the size of the DNA strands of the model as you like. To make the DNA model smaller, simply reduce the size of the strands of the double helix.
Step 3. Add sugar and phosphate groups
The double helix consists of 2 parts; sugar and phosphate. Use another colored polymer clay to make the phosphate portions of the double helix.
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Roll the color you have chosen until smooth. Cut a small piece of clay 1.2 cm wide and long.
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Start at the base of the double helix strand. Roll a flat piece of phosphate clay around the strands.
Build a DNA Model Step 3Bullet2 - Make sure the clay is taped flat against the helix, so it doesn't fall off.
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Clear 1.2 cm of the strand, and add another piece of flat clay.
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Continue to alternate with the sugar and phosphate clay, and 1, 2 cm apart, until you have filled both strands of the double helix.
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Step 4. Create your nitrogen base
There are 4 nitrogenous bases that make up DNA strands: cytosine, guanine, adenine, and thymine. They will form a "rung" between the two strands of the double helix. Choose a polymer clay color to represent each of the four bases.
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Roll out each color of clay to be 1.2 cm high and thick. Use a knife to trim these edges, to create a plain finish.
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Count how many sugar groups you have made on the double helix. This will be the number of nitrogen base pairs you will need to make.
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Match the colors to the correct group. Cytosine and guanine must pair (in any order), and thymine and adenine must always pair (in any order)
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If you want to give your nitrogen-pair base more support, cut sections of flexible wire to a little more than 2.5 cm in length, and use this on your clay base.
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Combine the pairs of colors by pinching the 2 ends of the 1.2 cm strand of your clay together. When the color is set in the center, gently roll the section to make a plain clay section.
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Step 5. Mount your nitrogen base on the double helix
When you've made all 1.5 cm of nitrogen parts, you need to attach them to the double helix.
- Start with the first group of sugars on your double helix. Use another small clay that is the same color as the sugar group, about the size of a pea.
- Attach one of the nitrogen bases to the sugar group using a small amount of colored clay. Pinch the pieces together, and smooth the ends by rolling them with your fingers.
- The easiest way is to attach all the nitrogen sections to just one section of the double helix strand. Then, when you've attached all the nitrogen sections to one section, attach the other strands to the opposite side
- Make sure all the parts are installed correctly. If you thread the wire in the middle of the nitrogen group, you can use the ends of the wire into the strands of the double helix to make it even better.
Step 6. Turn the double helix
To give your DNA model a classic spiral shape, hold the ends of the double helix and twist them counterclockwise.
Step 7. Bake your model
Follow the baking instructions on the polymer lat soil package, then bake your model to shape it.
- If you have wax paper, attach your model with this so it doesn't stick to your pan.
- Always allow the model to cool some time after removing it from the oven to prevent it from burning itself.
Step 8. Display your model
When the models are baked and cooled, show off your hard work! Hang it with fishing line on your roof, or use a wooden base to attach it.
Method 2 of 2: Making a Model Out of Wire and Beads
Step 1. Gather equipment
For this project, you will need several meters of flexible wire, wire cutters, and pliers, and beads of your choice.
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If you want to take this project more seriously, you can use solder bolts to permanently attach the parts.
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You can use any beads, but glass beads will look best for this project. Add seed beads (the smallest type of beads) to space the larger ones if you want.
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Have at least 6 colors of beads in sufficient quantity to make the size you want.
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If you intend to set up this project as an exhibition, make a wooden base for your model.
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Step 2. Create the double helix
This is the long strand on the side that will support the ladder-shaped DNA later. Cut 2 pieces of wire of the same length; these parts will form the DNA of the model, so make it as long as you want depending on how big or small the model you want to make.
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Choose 2 colors of beads, and attach them one by one to the ends of the wire. Wrap the end of the wire through the bead a second time, making a loop on the outside of the bead. This will keep the beads from coming off.
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Add 2 colors of beads in alternating patterns to the wire. The two colors represent the sugars and phosphates that will be attached to the double helix.
Build a DNA Model Step 10Bullet2 - You can choose one bead for each color or several beads for each color, but make sure you have the same number of beads in both colors.
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Do the same for the other side of the double helix wire, making sure the two halves are attached next to each other from the other colors (sugar and phosphate).
Build a DNA Model Step 10Bullet4 - Clear 5 cm at the top of the wire, so you can put a "step" between the beads.
Step 3. Add “rungs”
Count the number of groups of sugar that you have made on the double helix, then cut the pieces of wire 2.5 cm long.
- Wrap one end of the wire between the double helix wire near your sugar beads. Do this for each section, leaving only one finished double helix with lots of wire sticking out.
- If you want to make your DNA model look nicer and stronger, use your soldering iron to weld small sections of wire to the long double helix strand.
Step 4. Create a nitrogen base
Choose four other bead colors to represent the four nitrogen bases. Guanine and cytosine are always paired, and thymine and adenine are always paired.
- You'll probably need a few beads to fill each small piece of wire, so choose the same amount for each of your nitrogen bases.
- Make sure that you pair it correctly. Always put cytosine and guanine together, and thymine and adenine together. You can put them in any order you want, and install more pairs than others.
Step 5. Bead your nitrogen base
Once you've separated all the beads, place them on the end of the wire protruding from one of the strands of the double helix. Be sure to leave about 1.2 cm of space between the ends of the wire to attach it to the other double helix.
Step 6. Attach another strand of the double helix
When all the nitrogen beads are in place, you can attach the other double helix. Align the sides so that the double helix reflects the first basic nitrogen, then attach the small wire.
- You can wrap sections of wire around the double helix using long-mouthed pliers. Attach this small wire in the same place as the other double helix.
- If you can, you can use pliers to join the threads together, making a very plain looking model
Step 7. Close the ends of your model
To prevent the beads from slipping out of the model, wrap the wire between the last beads on each strand of your double helix. You can also knot the wire into a knot using pliers to keep the beads from coming loose.
Step 8. Rotate the double helix
To give your DNA model a classic spiral shape, hold the ends of the double helix and twist them counterclockwise.
Step 9. Display your model
When you're done, you can hang it on the roof using fishing line, or attach it to a board with a little wire or glue. Show off your work!
Tips
- Both models are quite difficult for kids, so make sure if you make this for a school project, the kid is smart enough not to hurt himself with the tools at hand.
- Always be careful not to burn yourself if you use the oven or pliers to make DNA models.
