What Is the Simplest Artistic Representation of Nucleotide Symbols ACGT?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the artistic representation of nucleotide symbols ACGT, focusing on finding a simple yet distinct way to symbolize them for a project involving stamping out designs from sheet metal. The scope includes conceptual exploration of design elements rather than established artistic methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the nucleotide symbols can be represented as variations of the benzene ring with modifications.
  • Another participant mentions existing DNA or nucleotide jewelry as examples of artistic representations.
  • A participant expresses a need for simple symbols that can be stamped out, indicating that existing representations are either too complex or too simplistic.
  • There are references to cookie cutters designed for nucleotides, but one participant critiques the search functionality of a related website, expressing frustration over finding specific designs.
  • A participant discusses their design process in Blender, contemplating whether to include the pentose sugar in their stamped design.
  • Further clarification is provided regarding the structural role of the pentose in the DNA helix, distinguishing it from the nucleotides themselves.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the complexity and simplicity of existing representations, with no consensus on a singularly effective design approach. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best method for representing the nucleotide symbols.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in existing designs, such as indistinguishability between certain nucleotide symbols and challenges in finding suitable representations online. There is also an acknowledgment of the structural components of DNA that may influence design choices.

DaveC426913
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TL;DR
Looking of the simplest (almost abstract) representation of the DNA nucelotides
My brother is a gene scientist and wants a piece of art that contains the symbols of the four nucleotides ACGT.

He described the symbols as "really nothing more than the benzene ring with a bump in certain places".

What is the simplest possible way to symbolically represent them? (i.e. short of just using the letters "A","C","G" and "T").

These are overly complex:

1666572808077.png


These are pretty close but too simple - so simple that C and T are nigh indistinguishable, as are A and G.
1666572624047.png

and this is overly complex:
 
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OK, so those symbols are all unique - unlike the ones I found.

(I should be clear, I'm not looking for art. I'm looking for the simple symbols so I can stamp them out of sheet metal.)
 
There are also cookie cutters:

Screen Shot 2022-10-23 at 7.27.34 PM.png
 
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BillTre said:
There are also cookie cutters:

View attachment 315943
OMG! That site has the world's worst search feature!

After 20 minutes I have only found C and G.

Even searching bakerlogy atcg thymine cookie cutter (which is the store and full name of the item) turns up 486 results and none of them are relevant.
Same with cytosine.

How does this site survive?
 
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Anyway, thank you. I can work with those.

I had to flip them around to match them up correctly:
1666581346348.png


per this:
1666581332928.png


So these will be stamped out of sheet metal ( as pairs, they will form the bases for potted plant holders that will be bound by inner and outer helices). Designing it in Blender.

I have to decide if the stamped design should include the (pink) pentose.
 
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The pink and blue form the backbone of each of the two strands. An unpolymerized monomer would be yellow-pink-blue.
Code specificity resides in the yellow parts.
I think the hydrogen bonds should be the closest parts of the two bases. They are holding the two parts of the molecule together. They look rotated to me.

Screen Shot 2022-10-23 at 8.41.00 PM.png
 
BillTre said:
The pink and blue form the backbone of each of the two strands.
...
Code specificity resides in the yellow parts.
You're right. The pentose is structurally part of the helix backbone, not the nucleotides. Thanks.
 
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