FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Major Price Reduction for DNA-Visualization Software
SOMERVILLE, MA—September 25, 2008—OnScreen Science, Inc.® today announced immediate and permanent reductions of $30 (30% to 40%) on the prices of its tutorial DNA-visualization software. The new prices for the Standard and Pro editions of OnScreen DNA™ are $39 and $69, respectively. OnScreen DNA, which runs under Macintosh OS X and Windows XP/Vista, is designed to make the detailed structure and workings of DNA intuitively understandable to students at the high school level and above. The visualization software includes important details that are impossible to see with the two-dimensional "ladder" animations commonly encountered on the internet. While aimed primarily at biology teachers, the software has been utilized by many as a self-teaching aid.
OnScreen DNA uses a 3D virtual model to teach the structural details of DNA, including its double helix geometry and chemical components and bonds. Beyond the structure, the biological functioning of DNA is made clear with 3D simulations of the critical DNA processes of replication and gene transcription. The Pro edition empowers and challenges users to take control of these simulations to construct DNA and RNA molecules through the proper choice of enzymes and nucleotide builiding blocks.
Identification of any component of the DNA is simply obtained by clicking on it. Users can rotate the DNA model and zoom in or out to see it from different perspectives even while simulations with moving components are taking place.
OnScreen DNA features on-screen tutorial guides that lead students through 3D animations, explaining clearly what is happening at each step. The roles of different enzymes are highlighted in a memorable way. Simulations of two processes important in biotechnology—denaturing or separation of DNA strands and renaturing or reconstitution of the double helix are also part of the program.
In addition to the on-screen activity guides, OnScreen DNA includes on-screen tests, the results of which can be saved to disk, Ęto provide feedback to teacher and student, as well as to aid in student evaluation if the teacher desires to use them so.
OnScreen DNA is available from OnScreen Science, Inc., 46 Wallace St. Somerville, MA 02144 or online at www.onscreen-dna.com. Ten-computer site licenses are available for about 3.5 times the cost of a single license. The original purchase price of any edition may be applied to the price of an upgrade, whether to an enhancement or to a site license.
OnScreen Science, Inc. publishes Ph.D.-scientist-designed software for science education tasks particularly benefiting from computer simulations. In addition to OnScreen DNA, the company also offers OnScreen Particle Physics™, a highly regarded simulation of a particle detection chamber for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms.