Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - September/October 2010 - (Page Cover3)

knossos games DNA Transposition The apparatus in the diagram below is built to rearrange the nucleotides in a short DNA sequence. Copies of the sequence are inserted at one end (start) and the rearranged sequences are extracted at the other (finish). The spherical chambers contain enzymes that specifically move the starting nucleotide to a different position in the sequence. For example, the chamber at right would take the sequence CTG and produce TCG. This chamber would transpose the first and second nucleotides for any sequence. Remember, the shaded squares do not represent specific nucleotides, but nucleotide positions. by Tim Boester ACT Knossos Games 17.5 Solution www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine The tubes connecting the spherical chambers contain different gated channels that allow fragments to pass only if they contain specific DNA sequences. For example, a tube labeled would allow the fragments CTG or GCT to pass, but not TCG. It is your job to determine the shortest path, from start to finish, through various chambers and tubes, to produce the desired DNA sequence with what is given. Note: The spherical chambers are built to eject the DNA sequence once it has been rearranged. Thus, you can apply a rearrangement repeatedly only by having the DNA sequence leave and return to the chamber. This can be accomplished in some instances by moving back and forth between a start or finish chamber, since these do not contain any transposition enzymes. tim Boester is an Assistant Professor in Mathematics Education at Wright State University. You can find more puzzles on his website at homepage. mac.com/ boester. imagine 47 http://www.mac.com/boester http://www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - September/October 2010

Imagine Magazine - John Hopkins - September/October 2010
Contents
Big Questions
Big Picture
In My Own Words
Biotechnology is
A Survival Guide for the Biotech Revolution
The Indiana Jones of Biotech
Stemming the Monster
Transgenic Animals
Building a Better Hydrogel
Immortal Cells & Bioethics
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Nights at the Museum
One Step Ahead
Middle Ground
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Creative Minds Imagine
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - September/October 2010