JUN 30, 2010 1:31 PM PDT

Molecular Biology Visualization of DNA

WRITTEN BY: Greg Cruikshank

First the DNA Wrapping is animated.
The wrapping allows 6 feet of the long DNA molecule to be densely packed into the tiny nucleus of every cell. The process starts when DNA is wrapped around special protein molecules called histones. The combined loop of DNA and protein is called a nuclei zone. Next the nuclei zones are packed into a thread. The end result is fiber known as chromatin. This fiber is looped and coiled yet again leading to the familiar shapes known as chromosomes which can be seen in the nucleus of dividing cells. Chromosomes are not always present - they form around the time cells divide when the two copies of the cell\'s DNA need to be separated.

Using computer animation based on molecular research we are now able to see how DNA is actually copied in living cells.
An assembly line of amazing biochemical machines are pulling apart the DNA double helix and cranking out a copy of each strand.

This presentation was made by Drew Barry at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.
About the Author
Bachelor's (BA/BS/Other)
With over 20 years of sales and marketing experience at various Life Science & Biotech Companies, Greg Cruikshank is leveraging his professional and entrepreneurial skills running the internet company Labroots, Inc. Labroots is the leading scientific social networking website, offering top scientific trending news and premier educational virtual events and webinars. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, Labroots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Greg has a passion for reptiles, raising various types of snakes and lizards since he was a young boy. This passion has evolved into starting the company Snake Country. At Snake Country, we breed and specialize in Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boas, and various morphs of Boa Constrictors and Ball Pythons. We have hundreds of snakes in our collection.
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