Rastrick students create world's longest DNA model
Published Date:
19 March 2008
SIXTH-form students set a new world record by creating the world's longest model of a DNA gene.
The teenagers from Rastrick High School were among a group of AS-level pupils who joined University of Huddersfield biology students in the record breaking attempt.
The 24-metre model – longer than a cricket pitch – was verified as accurate by cricket legend Dickie Bird, who also fixed the last piece in place.
After a talk on the genetics of diabetes, and a presentation about the model building, the mixed team of students – about 40 biology undergraduates and post graduates and about 60 sixth form students from schools in West Yorkshire – got stuck into the record breaking attempt.
Jeremy Hopwood, university science lecturer and event organiser, said: "The aim was to build an exact copy of the insulin gene.
"Our model contained over 1,118 base pairs. The previous record stood at a mere 300 base pairs.
"The biggest difference was that the previous record breaker was a random sequence.
"Our students were following the exact gene sequence for insulin."
The Physiological Society sponsored the event as part of National Science and Engineering Week.
The full article contains 198 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
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Last Updated:
19 March 2008 7:57 AM
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Source:
Evening Courier
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Location:
Halifax
