1. start P A S S stop mRNA: AUG AAG UUC UGU UGC UAG
DNA 1: TAC TTC AAG ACA ACG ATC
DNA 2: ATG AAG TTC TGT TGC TAG
DNA 1 is the code for your name.
DNA 2 is the complementary strand to DNA 1.

2. In this project, you’re working backwards
In this project, you’re working backwards. Instead of going from DNA to RNA, to protein, you’re going from protein to RNA to DNA.

3. First: You need to encode your name!
Using the codon chart and your knowledge of protein synthesis!

5. Now count the numbers of each base
Now count the numbers of each base. For instance, I have 11 adenines and 4 cytosines. How many thymines do I have? How many guanines doI have?
This will help you decide how many beads you need of each color. For example, if you decide you need 4 beads for each base.

6. Putting it all together….
Now that you know the number of bases you have, how many beads do you need?
Multiply the number of bases by 5
12 Adenines = 60 beads…..
You need 1 Hydrogen bond per base pair, so 24 base pairs = 24 hydrogens!
You need a sugar and a phosphate for each base, so if you have 48 bases, you need 48 sugars, and 48 phosphates!

7. Let’s get building!

8. We need pipe cleaners (12-15)

9. We then need beads

10. Cut all but 4 of the pipe cleaners into 3 pieces

11. Start stringing your bases together…

12. Don’t forget the Hydrogen Bond!

13. Then add the complement…

14. Do this for all of your base pairs…

15. Now for the sugar/Phosphate backbone
Now for the sugar/Phosphate backbone. Twist two of the four remaining pipe cleaners together

16. String on the correct number of sugars and phosphates…..

17. Time for Assembly!

18. Following your code, build the left-strand first
Following your code, build the left-strand first. Make certain to put your bases along side the sugars by twisting the rest of the pipe cleaner around.

19. Close-up of how these are assembled. LOOK! No Glue!

20. Connect the right strand the same way

21. Add your 5’ and 3’ to the top and bottom of your molecule.
Remember to put your name on your project!

22. And here it is (YOU are)!