I made an educational Video about PCR using the paper tactile model I designed in 2009.  To the best of my knowledge, this is the only hands-on PCR learning tool around, so I decided to make a video showing how to use it.  

You can download, print, cut-out, and tape together your own model! I have found that it helps the students I've mentored understand.

The novel concept behind the paper model is that the primer has a string hanging off the 3' end, and the dNTPs are beads.  So, to start making a strand of DNA, you need to start with a primer (because it has the string).  DNA replication also has to start with a primer.  Watch the video above if you want to learn more about it.

I taped the video in my living room using a webcam and a headset microphone.  I edited the video in Adobe Premiere.  Finding music for your videos is real challenge these days.  I chose fan-recorded music from a live Grateful Dead concert, because it’s my understanding is that the Grateful Dead allows people to use that without copyright penalty.