Do these genes look big?

September 4, 2008

The world record for the largest model of DNA has been claimed by the University of Huddersfield. The record-breaking DNA model measures 21.5m - just short of the length of a cricket pitch - and copies the genetic code for human insulin. It is the world's largest because it contains far more base pairs - the fundamental element of the genetic code - than previous large-scale models, with its 1,118 pairs dwarfing the previous record of 300. The model was constructed by 124 university and school students along with academics and is now on permanent display as a piece of public art in the science building. Jeremy Hopwood, the university's communicator in science, is pictured with Rob Smith, Huddersfield's dean of applied sciences.

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