DNA Viewing Adventure

Here is a link to see a molecule of DNA, once you get to the Molecules R Us data page for B-DNA make sure your output requested is set to "PDB viewer" and then hit "submit request". If you are in the PC lab, you must use one of the eight Compaq machines that has the RASMOL viewer program. These machines are located at the front right corner of the lab. You will be able to rotate the molecule, and change the viewing format. Be sure to rotate the molecule so that you can see the major and minor grooves of the helix.

If you don't have RASMOL, then you can still see the picture, but you won't be able to rotate it, if you set the output requested to "image" then hit "submit inquiry" the picture will be viewed with L-view Pro.

This is just one DNA structure data file. There are many more. For the more adventurous sorts, here is the link to Molecules R Us. Just type in DNA and hit enter. You will then get a screen full of data files for every DNA structure that has been entered into the Brookhaven Data Bank. Pick one and click on it to get to the data information page, then proceed as above.


For 5 extra bonus points, please send the answers to these questions via e-mail.

  1. What was the original source of data that was used to determine the DNA structure that you viewed? You will need to read the data file (on the page with the "submit request" and "output requested").
  2. What is the first base pair in the sequence?
  3. What drug is complexed to the DNA?
  4. What color is N? Note you need to see the DNA molecule using the RASMOL viewer to answer this one correctly.



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This page was brought to you by Koni Stone, please send e-mail to koni@chem.csustan.edu.