By Daniel Khosravinia, Twitter: @Lego_DNA, Kings College London, UK
Many of the world’s major scientific discoveries have fascinating stories. As a Kings College London student, I was inspired by the story of the DNA structure discovery and its significance. Thus, I designed Lego DNA Double Helix Discovery, a Lego model of DNA structure and the history of its discovery.
The Lego DNA model is composed of two sections: the DNA structure itself and research labs beneath it. The Lego model was designed with the aim of resembling the actual structure as closely as possible using only Lego bricks. The structure is a double helix spanning one complete turn; the sugar-phosphate backbone is positioned on the outside of the helices, while the bases are on the inside. There is approximately a 36° turn per base pair. Complementary base pairs (AT and CG) are paired together, with two hydrogen bonds linking AT, and three bonds linking CG. Purines (A and G) are double-ringed, and pyrimidines (T and C) are single-ringed. Different colors are used for each base in the model as well. The entire structure comprises 12 bases that code for a tripeptide (MDK) and a stop codon.
The Lego set also includes minifigures (the official name for Lego people) of four scientists important in the discovery of DNA structure, Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins, James Watson, and Francis Crick. The Lego DNA structure is positioned on a platform, containing two research laboratories: the Franklin-Wilkins lab and the Watson-Crick lab.
The Franklin-Wilkins lab consists of two lab benches, apparatus includes three Erlenmeyer flasks and two additional flasks. There are also two microscope cameras which are based on the actual instruments used to take images of DNA samples, including the famous Photo 51, which is also included in the Lego set. Photo 51, taken under the supervision of Rosalind Franklin, is a DNA sample image that provided evidence crucial for discovering the structure of DNA. The Watson-Crick lab contains a desk with books, as well as a blackboard with drawings and written notes, including the words: can it be a double helix?
The aim of creating this Lego DNA model was to encourage people, especially young individuals, to become more interested in science, and to possibly consider a scientific career. I started thinking about this aim when I read stories of toys, puzzles and other objects being important influencers in some scientists’ career choices. I also realized, growing up, that not all contributing scientists were recognised to the same extent, as I had hardly heard anything about Rosalind Franklin until university. Lego DNA also aims to increase the recognition of these scientists amongst the general public, particularly as they discovered a piece of information that is now perceived as fundamental scientific knowledge.
Through Lego Ideas, fans submit their original creations for consideration as a potential official Lego set. The idea is chosen once an idea achieves 10,000 supports or votes. Lego DNA is currently on Lego Ideas with 2,200 supports. Interestingly, there are very limited science-themed Legos, with close to none involving molecular biology and genetics, with Lego DNA potentially becoming a first. For this to become a reality, it needs your help to achieve the remaining supporters.
The project can be supported via the Lego website here.
Each supporter would increase the chances of Lego DNA coming to life, and each supporter would be treasured significantly. Also, I would hugely appreciate any efforts to promote this project and to let others know about it, whether via social media or simply by telling them. This would provide an enormous boost to Lego DNA’s progress. Hopefully, fans can soon obtain a real version of Lego DNA!
Please note that all views expressed on The Physiological Society’s blog reflect those of the author(s) and not of The Society.