# OnScreen DNA Model

> Interactive 3D DNA model for learning structure and components. (iPhone/iPad app by OnScreen Science, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onscreen-dna-model/id364149660 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [OnScreen Science, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/327397135)
- Category: Medical, Education
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2010-04-01
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onscreen-dna-model/id364149660/reviews.md

## What is OnScreen DNA Model?

This is an interactive, color-coded, 3D model with animations and background material for thoroughly (and enjoyably) learning the essential details of DNA's structure and chemical components. Scientifically accurate. 

National Science Teachers Assoc. (NSTA) Recommends for Grade Level: 6-College (online Feb 2014)

"A Best Science App. Great 3D DNA model, great text content" Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, June 2013

"One of the biology student's nine must-have iPad apps" TechSagar.com

"One the ten best iPad science apps." The Burns & McDonnell World

"One of the 50 best iPad apps for STEM education." News on Relevant Science

"One of the 40 best science iPad apps for students. You don't have to be a biology major to appreciate the awesomeness..." Fun Educational Apps

How well can you visualize the 3D structure of the DNA molecule? Can you spot erroneous depictions of DNA as a left-handed double helix? If you're not satisfied with your level of understanding of DNA structure or would like to have at your fingertips an instant memory refresher for which nucleotides pair with each other in the double helix of DNA etc., then OnScreen DNA Model™ for iPad could be worth many times its small price to you.

Whether you’re a student or teacher at any level or a person of any age who wants to get an intuitive feel for one of science’s greatest discoveries, OnScreen DNA Model can make the learning of DNA’s structure enjoyable and easy. And it will continue to serve as a reference for other reading and study you may undertake.

OnScreen DNA Model, designed for landscape (widescreen) orientation, provides you with a beautiful DNA model in 3D perspective to play with and to learn the basics of DNA structure from. To achieve basic scientific literacy in this age of biotechnology one needs to know what DNA’s famous double helix structure looks like in three dimensions and what its constituent parts are, because the key to how DNA works in living organisms is its structure.

Background material on DNA (and its molecules and chemical bonds) is readily available in a "Useful Stuff" popover view (literally at your fingertips). This includes details that are often skipped over or inadequately explained, such as the major and minor grooves, plus indications for how to see the details in the model.

While the screen shots will give you some idea of what it’s like, the pleasure of having the model rotate on the screen as the result of your finger’s moving touch can’t be conveyed in a picture. We feel the iPad is the perfect medium for OnScreen DNA Model. 

Care has been taken to give the model the correct handedness (right, not left, as in so many erroneous depictions), base pairs per turn, and a visual representation of DNA strand polarity. If you don't know exactly what handedness is, you will get a feel for it by being able to compare a right-handed model with a left-handed one (always labeled imaginary).

The app also offers a couple of simulations that show laboratory phenomena—denaturation and renaturation—important in biotechnology. You can see the two DNA strands completely separate under simulated heating that breaks the chemical bonds (visually speaking) which normally keep them together in their intertwined helices. Then the strands can recombine in a satisfying display of bonds reforming and strands rewinding.

We may be biased, but even after many months of working on OnScreen DNA Model, we still think it’s fun to play with and still enjoy looking at this beautiful natural geometrical form rotating on our screen. We hope you will too. Comments and questions are welcome at apinfo@onscreen-sci.com.

## Key features

- Interactive 3D DNA model
- Color-coded components
- Animations
- Background material on DNA
- Major and minor groove details
- Handedness comparison (right vs. left helix)

## Recent user reviews (8 of 8)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onscreen-dna-model/id364149660/reviews.md

### 5/5 — MedzBabba

*2013-10-07, version 2.5*

I am still using the original version and love it. This is the best animated description of the DNA model that I have seen and I have a medical background. I was so impressed that I also purchased the replication APP as well. Very well conceived and developed.

### 2/5 — Great app

*2013-03-22, version 2.4*

The graphics and the models are amazing but it really doesn't clearly define they processes.  Pretty to look at it...😊

### 1/5 — Not really !!

*2013-01-16, version 2.3*

I wont give it even a star. The software offers simple information as any website or google search would!. I thought you can construct/manipulate things much more than what it offers.

Anyway, for those who has no knowledge about DNA, it would worth the try.

### 5/5 — DNA Model

*2012-09-12, version 2.3*

Extremely useful in the classroom I highly recommend it. Interactive, it invites students to play with the DNAstrands.

### 3/5 — okayyy

*2010-12-25, version 2.1*

this app is okay but it is not perfect, it does not show you everything about DNA but if you need it for basics then get it.

### 5/5 — Nice job

*2010-12-14, version 2.1*

I bought this app to help with a biology project and I aced it, the app is incredible. My only thing is that on the actual model there would be distinction between double and triple hydrogen bonds and which ends are the 3' and 5' ends. Other than that amazing app!

**Developer response:** Glad you found it useful! The distinctions you wish to be made are actually already there. Sticks representing double and triple H bonds differ in cross-section, and color is used to distinguish the 3' and 5' ends. This is spelled out in the Useful Stuff popover and illustrated in the Key popover, both available within the app.

### 3/5 — Okay for the price

*2010-09-21, version 0*

Offers a slightly different view of DNA. Basic but interesting functionality. I bought after reading the website on the effort made towards accurate dimensioning.  There's a lot of effort here, but I'm hoping for more nice things too:)

### 1/5 — Really not worth it!!

*2010-07-04, version 0*

This app should be free. There are apps that give lot more functionality for free. All this app does is show a single short sequence of DNA which can not be edited. There are useless extra buttons for zoom and rotate which are already handled via gestures. There is a denature / renature sequence of limited relevance. There is no animation for example of replication or synthesis of mRNA and so on that would be helpful to the understanding. As a teaser for a full blown PC/Mac app it should be free and then is not likely to entice anyone to want to consider the full app.

## Frequently asked questions about OnScreen DNA Model

### What is OnScreen DNA Model?

OnScreen DNA Model is an interactive, color-coded 3D model designed to help users learn the structure and chemical components of DNA. It features animations and background material for a comprehensive and enjoyable learning experience.

### Who is OnScreen DNA Model for?

This app is recommended for Grade Levels 6 through College, and is suitable for students, teachers, or anyone of any age who wants to gain an intuitive understanding of DNA's structure. It's particularly useful for those studying biology or biotechnology.

### What makes OnScreen DNA Model scientifically accurate?

The app has been carefully designed to represent DNA with the correct handedness (right-handed double helix), base pairs per turn, and visual representation of DNA strand polarity. It also provides background material on DNA molecules and chemical bonds.

### Can I compare different DNA helix structures?

Yes, OnScreen DNA Model allows you to compare a right-handed model with a left-handed one, which is often depicted erroneously. This feature helps users understand the concept of handedness in DNA structure.

### What devices does OnScreen DNA Model support?

OnScreen DNA Model is designed specifically for the iPad and is optimized for landscape (widescreen) orientation. It is not available on other platforms like Android or desktop computers.

### How often is OnScreen DNA Model updated?

The latest version of OnScreen DNA Model is 2.6, which was last updated on October 15, 2019. While it has not been updated recently, the core scientific information it provides remains relevant for learning DNA structure.

### What is the price of OnScreen DNA Model?

OnScreen DNA Model is a paid application priced at $0.99. This one-time purchase grants you access to all its features and educational content.

### Does OnScreen DNA Model have ads?

Based on the provided information, the app does not indicate the presence of advertisements. As a paid application, it is likely ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted learning experience.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 2.6 — 2019-10-15

A few cosmetic improvements. Now requires iOS 12 or greater. Tested on iOS 13.

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## More apps by OnScreen Science, Inc.

- [OnScreen DNA Model for iPhone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onscreen-dna-model-for-iphone/id369890386)

All apps by OnScreen Science, Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/327397135

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*
