DNA Dave: the DNA transcription and translation robot.

Synthetic biology is an emerging field of research that has potential for huge impact through both societal and economic benefits. The processes and details that need to be understood to appreciate the potential for synthetic biology require a basic understanding of how genes are regulated and transcribed to make proteins and products.

Science festivals provide an opportunity for scientists to engage with a mixed audience, that typically spend 5-10 minutes visiting individual stands. Visitors want insights into the latest research and to gain sufficient knowledge to discuss the topics with those presenting on the stand, but also to share with others in conversation after visiting the festival.

The SAW trust, together with OpenPlant, came up with the idea to build an interactive robot that could help people understand the processes involved with DNA transcription and translation; this resulted in the birth of “DNA Dave”.

DNA Dave was first created in March 2017 by a collaborative team consisting of an artist (Molly Barrett), two computational scientists (Nadia Radzman and Ioannis Tamvakis) and molecular biologists Dr Jenni Rant (SAW) and Dr Colette Matthewman (OpenPlant),

Dave’s head resembles the nucleus of a cell, where the double stranded DNA can be found. The DNA strands then split and one strand is transcribed into single stranded RNA that leaves the nucleus via pores, in this case represented by DNA Dave’s neck. The RNA enters the cell cytoplasm (DNA Dave’s body) and is translated by the ribosomes which produce a sequence of amino acids; this process is represented by the turning of a cog that causes a sequence of lights to flash. The amino acids then join to form a single protein, which is presented through a trapdoor on Dave’s body.

School workshop

Having taken the DNA Dave robot to many science festivals, it has proven to be an engaging, approachable tool, that not only helps to explain the key synthetic biology principles of DNA transcription and translation, but through doing so, enables new conversations linking key principles to scientific applications.

More recently, a cross-disciplinary ‘Build your own DNA Dave school workshop’ has been developed that enables students to develop skills in coding, technical design, electronics and biology, with plans to make this a virtually available resource in the near future.

Get in touch with Samantha.Stebbings@jic.ac.uk or Jenni.Rant@jic.ac.uk if you would like DNA Dave to help with your outreach activities