This exhibit is organized by the RCSB Protein Data Bank (PDB) at UCSD. The PDB is the single worldwide resource for the 3D structures of proteins and DNA.
In this exhibit students will learn about the basic building blocks of life: DNA and Proteins. The first part consists of building a small fragment of double stranded DNA using marshmallows and tooth picks. In the second part, students will build a small portion of protein backbone by visualizing it on a computer display and then folding it from a piece of wire. They will learn about alpha helices and beta sheets.
In addition, we will provide computer animations of 3D protein and DNA structures and explain how they play roles in health and disease, and how drug molecules work. This part will be suitable for adult audiences as well. We will provide poster handouts “How do Drugs Work”.
