June 1, 2013 (Vol. 33, No. 11)

URL:
http://bit.ly/XZtldK

Rating:
Strong Points: Great 3D DNA model, great text content
Weak Points: None

Platform:
iPad

Cost:
$1.99

Summary:

As illustrated with OnScreen Gene Transcription in our May 1 column, OnScreen Science now has a few very nice iPad apps to teach students about DNA and RNA. The OnScreen DNA Model app was the original; as such, it offers students a strong introduction into the structure of DNA. App users interact with a beautifully rendered 3D model of DNA—rotating it, zooming in and out—as they read about base pairing, strand polarity, and major and minor grooves. The 3D model can be viewed as a simple model with artificially straight bonds, or with the more realistic tilted bonds. Students can also toggle between left-handed and right-handed modes to get a sense for helix handedness. Finally, the app contains a very useful denature/renature animation that offers an intuitive sense of how the two strands of DNA actually interact with one another.

Previous articleAxe Falls at Addex, Two Employees Remain
Next articleBioproduction Approach Could Build Better Oligonucleotides for Less