DNA Optical Transform (X-Ray Diffraction) Kit

Simulate Rosalind Franklin's famous X-ray ­diffraction experiments that led to the discovery of the DNA double helix with a laser pointer and the two-dimensional diffraction pattern transparencies from the DNA Optical Transform (X-Ray Diffraction) Kit.

The kit includes a manual with background information and directions, a diffraction pattern transparency, and projection masters. A source of visible laser light is not included, but any laser pointer will work. The comprehensive manual provides an overview of the DNA structure solution and diffraction principles; an optical transform demonstration; student experiment; and background information in reprints of two articles from the Journal of Chemical Education.

Click the ICE structure to view the table of contents for the DNA Optical Transform (X-Ray Diffraction) Kit.

Click the ICE structure for an excerpt from the DNA Optical Transform (X-Ray Diffraction) Kit.

Your students can participate as well with additional DNA Optical Transform (X-Ray Diffraction) Transparencies that can be purchased individually or in sets of 5 or 10.

Simulate X-ray diffraction using a visible laser and two-dimensional patterns on a transparency with the Optical Transform (X-Ray Diffraction) Kit.

Note, as of January 2011 the DNA Diffraction Transparencies have been updated. The new transparencies are laser photo plotted at a higher resolution which allows us to better model the true structure of B-DNA. As a result you will find that the diffraction pattern of B-DNA (cell J) is different from that produced by the old diffraction transparencies, but is a more accurate representation of DNA's structure. The manual has been updated accordingly; please refer to it for more information.