Make DNA Jewelery featuring Your Name!

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Materials

• String
• Beads, in each red, blue, green & black

Science Background
DNA is an ‘instructional code’ to make proteins for our body. It uses 4 bases to code all the information in DNA represented by A, T, C, and G. There are several steps to breaking the code. The code is stuck in the centre of the cell (nucleus). Therefore it is first written into a form that can be read outside the centre of the cell (transcription). This new form (RNA) leaves the nucleus where it is read to make proteins (translation). The code is read in 3 letter segments (codons) to create amino acids, the smallest part of proteins.

DNA code bracelet Background
Scientists have created shorthand that gives each amino acid its own letter, corresponding to 20 letters of our alphabet. You can then use this system to ‘spell’ the parts of a protein. The code is called the ‘DNA Alias’ and each letter represents a group of 3 letters in DNA code (codon). When you see the DNA Alias of a protein, you can find the original DNA sequence by reversing the coding process. For fun, it can be done with any word – like your name!

Create DNA Jewelery
Create the DNA code for your name. Imagine your name is the final protein product. We can then go back to the DNA code that created this protein.  

1. Using the DNA Alias code, below, figure out the 3 letter code for each letter in your name
   e.g. JEN = ATC GAG GAC
2. Each letter of the code has an associated colour (see below . Match the first letter of your DNA Alias code to its colour.
   e.g. A = green. T = black, C = red (first codon from the name Jen)
3. Select the first coloured bead and string put it on the string.
4. Repeat until all letters of the code are represented on your string.
   Note: If you'd like, use other beads to fill out your bracelet or necklace (as shown on the left bracelet, above)
5. Tie off the string to create a bracelet or necklace.

Remember that each letter of your name is represented by 3 letters in DNA so you will have 3 times as many beads as letters in your name

DNA Alias & Code
Note: There are only 20 amino acids. We have used alternate codons for letters that aren’t in the scientific DNA Alias  (e.g. B = GCA = alternate codon for Alanine).

The above activity is fun for all ages.

It is particularly useful in younger grades,  9, 10, 11, and 12  to introduce various discussions about DNA, amino acids, proteins and DNA transcription.

Download an Activity sheet