| Contents |
Mini Models: Aquaporin, Potassium Channel, Green Flourescent Protein, Zinc Finger
Water Kit© and NaCl Lattice
Modeling Toobers
Insulin BioInformatics & Folding Kit© (Available in April)
Insulin Mini Model
3DMD Genetic Codon Wall Chart (New)
Amino Acid Starter Kit©
Mini-Toober ß-Globin Folding Kit©
ß-Globin Mini Model
Mini Models: Nucleosome, Immunoglobulin Fold, Antibody, Anthrax, Hemolysin
DNA Discovery Kit©
Paper BioInformatics
Map of Human ß-Globin Gene©
DNA Mini Model
Molecules of Life Collection©
Acetylcholinesterase Active Site Cube
David Goodsell Cellular Landscapes (New)
Large and Small Ribosome Mini Models
Large Ribosome Mini Model
Small Ribosome Mini Model
Transfer RNA Mini Model
Replacement Items
Water Kit© and NaCl Lattice
DNA Discovery Kit©
Amino Acid Starter Kit©
Map of the Human ß-Globin Gene©
Mini-Toober ß-Globin Folding Kit© & Prefolded Model
Individual Items
Product Order Form (found on page 11 of the catalog)
Payment and Shipping (found on page 12 of the catalog)
Custom Models
BioMolecular Explorer CD
Consumer Product Safety Warnings
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| Aquaporin Mini Model 3.75" Plaster Model (AQUAMM) |
Aquaporin — a membrane-spanning protein — is responsible for moving water across a lipid bilayer. Its structure consists of 7 alpha helices that form an hour-glass shape through which water molecules move, one at a time. Two asparagine amino acids are strategically positioned at the narrowest point of the hour-glass and provide selectivity to this channel — only water molecules pass through. Aquaporin was discovered by Peter Agre in 1996. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2003 for this work, along with Roderick MacKinnon, who characterized the structure of the potassium channel. For more information about water channels, see Dr. Agre's Nobel address at http://nobelprize.org/. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| Potassium Channel Mini Model 3.75" Plaster Model (PCMM) |
The potassium channel is a 4-subunit, trans-membrane protein that allows the rapid passage of potassium ions — but not sodium ions — across the membrane. The protein backbones of the 4 subunits come together to form a channel, with carbonyl oxygen atoms precisely positioned in 3-D space to replace the water that normally hydrates each ion. Since there is no energetic difference between a hydrated potassium ion and the same ion bound in the pore of the potassium channel, the ion rapidly passes through the channel in a frictionless manner. This potassium channel protein structure was determined by Roderick MacKinnon in 1998. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2003 for this work, along with Peter Agre, who characterized the structure of aquaporin, the water transporter. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| Green Fluorescent Protein Mini Model 3" Plaster Model (GFPMM) |
Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is responsible for the green bioluminescence of many marine organisms, including the Pacific Northwest Jellyfish. Its structure consists of an 11-stranded beta-barrel surrounding a central alpha-helix that contains the fluorophore that emits light. The backbone is color-coded for students to follow the folding of the protein from its amino+- to carboxy-terminus. It is an excellent tool when teaching protein structure and/or biotechnology. It also can be used with the Amino Acid Starter Kit©. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards.
Find out more |
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| Zinc Finger Mini Model 3.5" Plaster Model (ZFMM) |
A zinc finger is a short (~30 amino acid) protein motif that is often found in proteins that bind DNA. Zif268 is a DNA binding protein that contains three consecutive zinc fingers. Proteins with zinc fingers are one of the largest families of proteins found in the human genome. Each zinc finger consists of a two stranded beta-sheet and a short alpha-helix. Its structure is stabilized by two cysteine and two histidine sidechains that bind to a single zinc atom. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. |
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| Water Kits© (WK-01, WK-02, WK-06) |
Your students can make ice, dissolve salt, evaporate water, explore transpiration, create ethanol and much much more. Find out more.
Water Kit Basic Lesson Plans
Water Kit© Resource Pages
Meets National Science Education Standards |
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| NaCl Lattice (NACL-03, NACL-04) |
Your students can discover the cubic nature of salt crystals, efficient lattice packing, high melting temperature, brittleness, cleavage planes, and more with these models. Each ion model has 6 embedded magnets to simulate ionic bonding. The 4 x 4 x 4 Lattice contains 64 ions (32 sodium and 32 chloride) and the 3 x 3 x 3 Lattice contains 27 ions (13 of 1 type of ion and 14 of the other.) Lattices do not include 3DMD Water Molecules©. Water Molecules are sold in Water Kits© (see water kit).
NaCl Resource Pages
Meets National Science Education Standards |
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| Modeling Toobers 4' Toober (TBR-01) |
Improved Modeling Toobers!
Versatile Modeling Toobers provide hands-on learning experiences in many science disciplines. Biology and chemistry students can model DNA or create protein structures while following the principles of chemistry. Physics students can explore sound and other waves. The flexible foam Toobers have a soft wire core and are 4' long (push pins not included). Find out more.
15 Tack and a 4 Foot Toober (pdf)
Meets National Science Education Standards |
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| Insulin BioInformatics & Mini-Toober Folding Kit© |

Available in April
3DMD's new Insulin BioInformatics and Mini-Toober Folding Kit© helps your students understand that the specific sequence of amino acids in a protein is encoded by the specific sequence of nucleotides in the corresponding gene. After using the Insulin Gene Map© to search for the nucleotide sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence of insulin, your students will fold a physical model of the 3-D structure of the insulin protein, using Mini-Toobers (1 for the A Chain and 1 for the B Chain) and a Folding Map.
By using the insulin protein as a starting point, teachers can weave together a broad range of biology topics including the flow of genetic information, biochemistry and protein structure, cellular organelles, anatomy, physiology and cell biology of glucose homeostasis, energy metabolism, the endocrine and digestive systems, recombinant DNA technologies, and new approaches to monitor blood glucose levels and control diabetes. |
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| Insulin Mini Model 4" Plaster Model (IFKMM) |
This alpha carbon backbone model of insulin, a 51-amino acid peptide hormone, features 2 Chains (A is red and B is green) joined by two disulfide bonds. This model is useful in teaching basic principles of protein structure – including quaternary structure. The insulin model can also be used in conjunction with the Insulin BioInformatics and Mini-Toober Folding Kit© (above). Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| 3DMD Genetic Codon Wall Chart 24" x 30" (GCWC) |
The 3DMD Genetic Codon Wall Chart can be used in conjunction with 3DMD's popular Amino Acid Starter Kit© and ß-Globin Folding Kit© — which introduce your students to a standard color scheme: hydrophobic amino acids are yellow, polar amino acids are white, acidic amino acids are red and basic amino acids are blue. By applying this same color scheme to the Codon Chart, your students can easily build a seamless connection between the triplet codon in mRNA and the chemical property of the amino acid it encodes. |
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| Amino Acid Starter Kit© (AASK-01, AASK-03, AASK-06) |
(3 Group Set Shown)
Updated Kits Available Now
Your students explore the primary, secondary and tertiary structure of proteins with the captivating models and tools in this dynamic kit. They learn the chemical properties of the 20 amino acid sidechains through a dual coloring scheme — a colored band at the base of each sidechain indicates chemical properties while embedded colored balls in the model show atomic structure. Understanding protein structure begins with this unique combination of structure and chemical properties of the amino acid sidechains. Through the kit's engaging hands-on activities your students gain a basic knowledge of protein folding. Then they discover the importance of secondary structure with an additional folding activity. Each 1 Group Set includes 1 magnetic chemical properties circle, 1 amino acid sidechains list, 22 amino acids, 1 4-foot Mini-Toober, 15 metal clips and 6 hydrogen bond connectors. Multiply each item by 3 or 6 for the 3-Group and 6-Group sets. The CD has teacher notes, student handouts and interactive Jmol visualization tools. Meets National Science Education Standards.
Project Lead the Way® selected the Amino Acid Starter Kit© for its BioMedical Sciences™ Program.
New Old |
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Improved Sidechains Available Now
Dynamic, accurate, sidechain models feature embedded magnets in a durable plastic. Sidechains still feature dual coloring schemes — a colored band at the base indicates chemical properties while embedded colored balls show atomic structure. Customers who previously purchased the Amino Acid Starter Kit© or ß-Globin Folding Kit© will be offered special below cost pricing on new sidechains.
CD Files |
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| Mini-Toober ß-Globin Folding Kit© (MTBGM-01, MTBFK-01) |
Proteins become real in your students' hands as they fold 3 Mini-Toober ß-Globin fragments and discover the primary, secondary and tertiary structure in this model. Maps guide your students in folding the Mini-Toobers into ß-Globin's 3-D shape. This Kit is the next step in helping your students understand proteins, after engaging in the Amino Acid Starter Kit© or 15 Tacks and a 4-Foot Toober activities. The Mini-Toober ß-Globin Folding Kit© includes Mini-Toobers, folding map guides, amino acid sidechains, heme group, iron atom, oxygen atoms, and an assortment of parts to mark and connect the fragments. The Folding Kit can be used successfully by 6 to 9 students working in 3 teams. Meets National Science Education Standards.
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| ß-Globin Mini Model 4" Plaster Model (BGMMFK) |
ß-Globin is a small protein (146 amino acids) that transports oxygen throughout our bodies. This model
features the heme group with its iron atom which binds oxygen, the location of the sickle cell mutation,
and selected charged, hydrophobic and hydrophilic sidechains. The model is useful in teaching both
physiology and protein structure. This Mini Model can be used as an accurate smaller scale template when
using the Mini-Toober ß-Globin Folding Kit©. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and
should be handled with care.
Meets National Science Education Standards.
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| Nucleosome Mini Model 4" Plaster Model (NCSMM) |
The nucleosome is the most basic, repeating structural unit of chromosomes. Its central protein core has 8 histones (2 copies each of H2a, H2b, H3 and H4) and 145 base pairs of double-stranded DNA. The N-terminal end of each histone has many positively-charged amino acids that interact with the negatively-charged phosphate backbone of DNA. This model reveals that histones interact only with the minor groove of DNA. The major groove is then available for sequence-specific DNA binding proteins, such as Zif 268 (see Zinc Finger Mini Model page 2). Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| Immunoglobulin Fold Mini Model 3.25" Plaster IgG Fold (IGGMM) |
The immunoglobulin (IgG) fold consists of a four-stranded beta sheet – opposite a three-stranded beta sheet - joined by a disulfide bonds. This highly successful protein fold is found in many proteins, especially those that function in our immune system. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| Antibody Mini Model 3.5" Plaster Antibody (ANTMM) |
Antibodies (immunoglobulins) area composed of 12 immunoglobulin folds; 4 in each heavy chain (colored yellow in the model), and 2 in each light chain (colored red in the model). The antigen binding site of an antibody is composed of the ends of two immunoglobulin folds (1 yellow heavy chain and 1 red light chain) that are positioned at the tips of the Y-shaped antibody. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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Anthrax Protective Antigen Mini Model 3.25" Plaster Model (ATXMM) |
Seven subunits of the anthrax protective antigen protein assemble into a ring that embeds itself in the membrane of a cell, which allows 2 additional anthrax toxin proteins — lethal factor and edema factor — to enter the cell. In this model, each subunit is color-coded according to 4 different protein domains. White represents a dominant negative inhibitor. This is a mutant form of the protein that assembles into a heptamer. It is unable, in this form, to allow the transport of the other 2 anthrax toxin proteins into the cell. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| Hemolysin Mini Model 3.5" Plaster Model (HLNMM) |
Hemolysin is a protein of Staphylococcus aureus. Like the anthrax protective antigen heptamer (above), 7 subunits of hemolysin assemble into a complex that embeds itself into the membrane of a red blood cell. Each subunit of the heptamer contributes two-strands to a 14-stranded beta-barrel that is inserted into the membrane to create a hole. Hemoglobin protein then leaks out of the red blood cells, making the iron available to the bacteria to support their growth. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| DNA Discovery Kit© (DNA-02, DNA-12) |
Let your students discover the structure of DNA — just as Watson and Crick did. The DNA Discovery Kit© combines magnets with accurate 3-D nucleotides which make the kit self-instructive. As your students discover AT and GC base pairs, they will feel the hydrogen bonding. Teacher-developed and field-tested, the 12 Base Pair Set contains 6 AT and 6 GC base pairs, display stand, 2 Mini-Toobers and CD with extensive activities, materials and background information. The 2 Base Pair Set includes 1 AT and 1 GC base pair, and CD. Meets National Science Education Standards
Project Lead the Way® selected the DNA Discovery Kit© for its BioMedical Sciences™ Program.
More Photos
"DNA Resources
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A 3DMD BioInformatics Activity©
Map of the Human ß-Globin Gene© |
Don't tell your students about triplet codons, reading frames, or introns and exons. Let them discover these eukaryotic gene features as they explore the Map of the Human ß-Globin Gene©. Starting with the protein sequence, students work backward to discover the ß-Globin Gene. Student maps can be used by individuals or small groups and are available in sets of 1, 3 or 12. Student sets do not include the CD.
The Teacher's Map features highlighted reading frames and mutation sites. The CD includes Teachers' Notes, instructions, and student handout. All maps are laminated. Meets National Science Education Standards.
Project Lead the Way® selected the Map of the Human ß-Globin Gene© for its BioMedical Sciences™ Program. |
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| ß-Globin Mini Model 4" Plaster Model (BGMMPBI) |
This ß-Globin Mini Model is designed to use with the Map of the Human ß-Globin Gene© (above). The 3 colors of
its alpha carbon backbone correspond to the 3 exons in the gene. Selected sidechains on the model indicate
mutations that are noted on the Teacher Map of the Human ß-Globin Gene©. The model also features the heme
group with its iron atom binding oxygen. It is useful in teaching physiology and protein structure, as well as
bioinformatics. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| DNA Mini Model 8" Plaster Model with Base (DNA4FMM) |
This model immediately engages your students in thinking about the structure of DNA. You can guide a discussion of the nature of models — and the usefulness of multiple representations of any molecular structure. The DNA Mini Model represents the classic DNA double helix in 4 formats. The bottom section of the model shows a surface format emphasizing major and minor grooves. Moving up, all atoms are in a CPK colored spacefilled format. The next section shows the 4 nitrogenous bases in a CPK wireframe format. In the top section of the model each of the 4 bases is colored with a solid color. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| Molecules of Life Collection© |
The Molecules of Life Collection© features plaster models of the four major types of biomolecules — DNA, proteins, lipids and complex carbohydrates. Since the biomolecules exist and interact in an aqueous environment, water is also included. An associated model of a monomer building block goes with each biomolecule. A major teaching point is that large complex biomolecules are made of small, simple monomer units.
The models sit on a 24" x 19” placemat that includes a description of each structure.
The entire set includes 12 models: DNA, adenosine monophosphate, ß-globin, histidine, cell membrane, phospholipid, starch, glycogen, cellulose, glucose, ice structure, water molecule and placemat. All models are built to the same scale — 20 million times their real size. The models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards.
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| Acetylcholinesterase Active Site Cube© 5" Plaster Cube Model (ACHASC) |
Now your students can unfold an enzyme to see how the precisely positioned active site amino acids bind to specific substrates to catalyze a reaction. As your students unfold the active site cube they will see how the tightly-packed amino acid sidechains bind the substrate (acetylcholine) and discover how 3 amino acids collaborate to cleave the neurotransmitter. Your students will explore how an insecticide targets the enzyme in mosquitoes and see what happens when a mutation blocks the insecticide from binding to the enzyme. This has led to the emergence of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes. The substrate, insecticide and mutant amino acid sidechain bind to the enzyme with magnets. The models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| David Goodsell Cellular Landscapes |


(Tour of a Human Cell Panorama)
David Goodsell, PhD, scientist, author and artist of all things small, creates landscapes that accurately illustrate the size, shape, and distribution of proteins in their natural environment of the cell. These unique images connect the molecular world, inferred by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, with the cellular world, observed by light and electron microscopy.
These laminated prints of Goodsell's stunning water color paintings illustrate biology in a dimension not seen in other instructional tools. Adjacent text identifies the proteins and explains their functions. Whether teaching the flow of genetic information, the many jobs of proteins, energy metabolism or the immunology of a flu shot, these landscapes may be the missing piece in your current collection of instructional tools. Meets National Science Education Standards.
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(Mitochondria Poster) |
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| Large and Small Ribosome Mini Models 4" Plaster Models (R5030SMM) |
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Thomas A. Steitz and Ada E. Yonath won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome! http://nobelprize.org/
Protein synthesis becomes understandable as your students see the 3 tRNAs of the small (30S) subunit and how they fit into the cavity of the large (50S) subunit to synthesize protein. In the large subunit, they will see the single adenosine base (yellow) that catalyzes peptide bond formation during protein synthesis. The large subunit of a bacterial ribosome is a protein-RNA complex composed of 34 proteins and 2 rRNAs (23S and 5S). The rRNA folds into this specific 3-D structure, with the proteins serving as the mortar between RNAs. The newly synthesized protein exits the ribosome through a visible channel that extends from the catalytic adenosine to the surface of the ribosome.
The small subunit of the bacterial ribosome is a protein-rRNA complex composed of 21 proteins and a single RNA (16S). It folds into a specific 3-D structure and is stabilized by associated proteins. In this spacefilled model, two tRNAs (green) dock with their 3'-ends close together – ready for peptide bond formation.
In an assembled ribosome with the small and large (70S) subunits bound together, the 3'-ends of the tRNA are immediately adjacent to the catalytic adenosine in the large subunit. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| Small (30S) Ribosome Mini Model 4" Plaster Model (R30SMM) |
30S Ribosome
(also available as a pair) |
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| Large (50S) Ribosome Mini Model 4" Plaster Model (R50SMM) |
50S Ribosome
(also available as a pair) |
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| Transfer RNA Mini Models 3.5" Plaster Model (TRNAMM) |
Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a short RNA molecule (76 nucleotides) that delivers amino acids to the ribosome, where they join to a growing chain during protein synthesis. Transfer RNAs fold into 3-D structures, stabilized by hydrogen bonding between complementary bases. In this model, the phosphate backbone of the tRNA is white, the 4 bases are red, the anticodon is blue, and the 3'-end (where the amino acid is bound) is yellow. Mini Models are made of plaster by rapid prototyping and should be handled with care. Meets National Science Education Standards. |
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| Custom Models |
 3D Molecular Designs is happy to estimate the cost of a model that is customized to meet your research or education needs. Receive a custom model price quote. |
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| BioMolecular Explorer 3D (BECD) |
3D Molecules on CD for High School Biology BioMolecular Explorer 3D (BME3D) is a collection of 3D-interactive, biologically significant molecules relevant to a high school biology curriculum. Windows software is provided on the CD. (Mac users, see the online version of BME3D. Classic or OS9 required.)
BME3D provides easy access to interactive 3D structures of biologically significant molecules without needing to connect to the Internet, and without requiring a great deal of technical expertise. All molecules included on the Biomolecular Explorer 3D CD are displayed and explored in a browser window following software installation. The price of the CD covers the media, production and handling costs-- software and other materials are free, thanks to support from the National Science Foundation, and MDL, Inc.
The BME3D CD includes:
- software for Windows (Mac users see below)
- step-by-step instructions
- 10 pre-selected molecules with descriptions to place them in context: DNA, antibody, HIV protease with inhibitor, hemoglobin, a lipid bilayer, collagen, lactase, lac repressor, myosin, water.
- links to online lesson planning resources for each molecule
- links to more molecules online
To preview the contents of the CD, visit BME3D online! If you have stable internet access in your classroom, you can use all BME3D materials from BME3D online, without getting the CD.
Software for Macs (Classic or OS9 required) is available only at the BME3D online web site. |
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| Replacement Items |
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Water Kit© and NaCl Lattice
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DNA Discovery Kit©
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Amino Acid Starter Kit©
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Map of the Human ß-Globin Gene©
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Mini-Toober ß-Globin Folding Kit© & Prefolded Model
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Individual Items
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| Consumer Product Safety Warnings |
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