How to make a DNA model using pipe cleaners

dna image by Allyson Ricketts from

DNA is one of the basic building blocks of all life. Through instructions encoded by just four chemical symbols, cells can combine to form astoundingly complex life forms with unique traits.

With modern genetics rapidly unravelling the mysteries of DNA, it is more important than ever for students to learn how it works.

Learn about basic structure of DNA. DNA is a double helix--basically, a twisted ladder shape. The actual genetic code is expressed by four molecular codon: adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine, which we will call A, T, G and C. The codons are always in pairs; A is with T, and G is with C. The pairs are the rungs of the ladder attached to the DNA "backbone."

Decide which colours represent which part of the DNA molecule. In this article, we will make the backbone out of white pipe cleaner and use red ones for A, blue for T, green for G and yellow for C.

Make two chains of white pipe cleaners. Twist the ends together so that they are securely attached. Make your chains about the same length. Lay them side by side on the table.

Make several pairs of DNA codons. You can make an AT pair by bending a red pipe cleaner and a blue pipe cleaner in half and hooking them together in the middle. Then twist them together so that they don't flop back and forth where they meet.

Attach the pairs to the backbone, once you have made several pairs of AT and CG codons. Twist the free ends around the backbones to make a ladder. Space them as evenly as possible up and down the ladder.

Twist the ladder in a spiral. It should twist evenly around itself like a spiral staircase.