Being able to see pictures of DNA is useful, but being able to actually manipulate the molecule can do much more to help understand the structure of DNA.

Fortunately there is an excellent program that allows us to visualize and manipulate a three-dimensional representation of DNA:

Mac Molecule / PC Molecule

This easy-to-use program, available in free demonstration versions both PC and Mac platforms includes many premade molecules that can be viewed and manipulated. You can download the software by choosing the following appropriate link:

Unfortunately the company that makes the software no longer exists, so the program is only available as the free demo with limited features. In our testing of this software, we have never incurred any problems, but understand that this is non-supported third party software, so you install and use it at your own risk.

One of the molecules included with the software is DNA. Using the program is a lot like using a graphics program - you can view the graphic in different ways, change colours, erase or add parts, and zoom in and out:

The best feature is the ability to manipulate the graphic, as shown in the following QuickTime movie:

Students can work through the scripted molecule easily by clicking on the descriptions in the right window. This can be used as a simple review, or as a specific task.

There are other software possibilities for DNA molecule visualization, such as:

• Protein Explorer - a plug-in type method for viewing molecules with your browser.
• Molecule Visualization & Drawing Tools - a page that list several programs, viewers and libraries.

Task:

Depending on the software you have chosen or are able to use, complete the following:

• Use your computer to visualize DNA.
• Use what you have learned from the software to complete any worksheets assigned by the teacher.