events... Science Year events & activities
DNA day
DNA Day sets 2nd world record for science year
March 9th 2002 was a indeed a great day for DNA, as a team from Keele University raced against the clock to construct the world's biggest ever molecule of it.
With the support of a range of organisations including Science Year, the EPSRC, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Daresbury Laboratory, Signal1 Radio and Molymod, a team of scientists and their helpers skilfully pieced together the molecular puzzle.
As the model steadily grew, crowds of onlookers at The Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent gathered to take part, stare in wonder or just enjoy the ambience of history in the making. Project leader Graeme Jones gave frequent updates to the waiting crowds, enough to draw people into the main arena to take part in the molecule-related events.
So how did it all come about? Over a period of months schools across the region had worked with scientists to piece DNA ‘base pairs’ together. They all contributed an enormous amount to the Day, popping along to see their piece of the puzzle being fitted in. Some were even spotted working right up until the last minute to make it all come together.
Finally, after 6 hours and 27 minutes, the giant molecule was complete. As Graeme fitted the very last piece - sent in by DNA pioneer Dr Francis Crick himself - a cheer went up!
Meanwhile, over at the Make-It-Molecular stand, the pieces of plastic were flying. You could try your hand at building ascorbic acid, water or a range of other molecules - and the DNA Day team madly pulled apart the pieces so it could happen all over again.
For those wandering away from the main arena, there was plenty more to capture the imagination and inspire still more DNA-day participation.
Science graduates were on hand at a number of interactive stations to show off some of the amazing science and technology relating to DNA...offerings included a glimpse of glow-in-the-dark bacteria, a chance to extract DNA from onions, and some fun science demonstrations for the super-curious.
All in all, components for the model were contributed from all across the UK, with pieces coming in from schools, science celebrities and education experts. Have a browse through a series of their comments, check out their personal moelcules and read some of the thoughts on DNA and the impact of gene science as sent in by Science Year readers...
The engineering of this record-breaking molecule was no mean feat, requiring nine months of painstaking work and application from engineer John Flaherty. For a breakdown of just how he went about solving the problem of suspending over 1500 plastic molecules from the ceiling of a shopping centre, check out his inspiring account of the challenges he faced - coming soon.
And that was DNA Day!
For some great genetics info - check out this website
http://www.yourgenome.org
And for our next world record....stay tuned!