Thursday, August 8, 2013

Molecular Models At The Motion Pictures

By Herb Budde


Models in the Motion pictures

Indigo Instruments isn't only about supplying scientific kit to schools technicians, homeschoolers and students doing their science fair project. No! A fair handful of molecular models and countless other things have created their approach to Hollywood, got themselves on the little screen and featured in some offbeat web experiments.

VP Stephan Logan explains how Rob Cohen's 2005 film "Stealth" is described on the net Film Database as "Surprisingly enjoyable". Why? Due to the fact a plot line based on 3 pilots deeply ensconced in a top-secret military program struggling to bring an artificial intelligence program beneath control before it initiates WWIII sounds just so unsurprising. The film attributes intense action, violence and innuendo. But, far more excitingly it also attributes a 17-layer DNA model from Indigo. So, for what was it these pilots needed a model of DNA? You are going to need to watch the film to find out.

Certainly one of Indigo's "anatomically correct" 12-layer DNA models also characteristics inside the present hit film "Fantastic Four." Within this marvelous piece of cinema, a group of astronauts obtain superpowers soon after being exposed to cosmic radiation (yeah, proper!) and are destined to utilize them in fighting the world-dominating plans from the evil Physician Victor Von Doom. They could not have believed of a much more corny name for the villain, but at the least the DNA molecular model utilised within the movie is scientifically accurate, obtaining been constructed towards the highest specifications by Indigo's Logan himself.

When once again, superheroes are the subject of yet another movie to function molecular model kits supplied to Hollywood by Indigo Instruments. In "Return of Zoom", a movie based on the graphic novel "Zoom's Academy for the Super Gifted" by Jason Lethcoe, an unpopular higher school girl sent to superhero college by her "mysterious" father and discovers her hidden talents (a la Harry Potter, methinks). The makers of this film, also utilized a DNA model from Indigo to reveal the inner workings of human genetics at the molecular level. Unfortunately, for Indigo's image, the director asked for the model to be specially created to ensure that it would fall apart very easily. Never ask why, you'll have to go see the movie. Needless to say, any models you buy from Indigo Instruments will probably be created to far more exacting standards and are guaranteed to not fall apart!

Stepping back in the superheroes, Indigo Instruments was proud also to provide a complete series of chemical models for the making of Eddie Murphy blockbuster, "The Nutty Professor". Mineral models like a huge zeolite model and a model from the structure of diamond had been used to fantastic impact in the movie as Professor Sherman Klump, desperately looking to lose weight, requires a chemical cocktail that morphs him in to the slimly obnoxious Buddy Really like. The mineral models feature prominently as classic examples of Klump's laboratory gear.

Molecular models from Indigo Instruments haven't only caught Hollywood's eye, but arthouse directors have turned to Indigo Instruments to supply them with molecular models also. So, Indigo can now lay claim to possessing appeared in the Toronto Film Festival.

DNA and also other molecular models from Indigo, have also hit the modest screen in Tv crime show "Law & Order", in sci-fi classic "Stargate Atlantis", and on CBS News during the celebrations from the 50th anniversary from the discovery of the structure of DNA.

It's not just the entertainment industry that is fascinated by Indigo's DNA models. "We've also sold a 17-layer DNA model to such organizations as Bell Labs, IBM, and even shipped a single to Erasmus University Hospital in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where the SARS virus was first identified," says Indigo SD Stephan Logan. In addition NASA lesson plans such as their magnets and life lesson cites Indigo Instruments as a useful source of powerful rare earth magnets. Images from Indigo Instruments have been used on countless lecture tours and in science demonstrations which includes those by staff at Wisha University. A chemical flask from Indigo has even been adapted to make a heliograph, or sun tracker.

"We have sold DNA models to lawyers for court cases involving patent issues," adds Logan, "major museums and institutions, such as the Bill Clinton Museum, Howard Hughes Medical Center, Walter Reed Army Hospital, US Naval Academy, Harvard University, New York University and elsewhere, also have our DNA models and others on display." Intriguingly, even the infamous Martha Stewart has bought glassware from Indigo, in the form of test tubes and Erlenmeyer flasks for use in floral arrangements.




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