Models & Artefacts

A diverse collection of models and artefacts are looked after by the LMB archives, from early protein and DNA models to Max Perutz’s last lab coat and T-shirts and mugs celebrating key anniversaries in LMB’s history. Information is also included about LMB models and items that are on display or long-term loan to museums and other repositories.

DNA & Nucleic Acid
Enzyme
Muscle
Protein
Ribosome
Virus
Science Museum

Events
LMB
Nobel Prize
Queen's Awards
Sculptures
Miscellaneous

DNA & Nucleic Acid Models
		Skeletal demo model [late 1950’s] H103cm x W51.5cm x D51.5cm
		Ball and spoke model [late 1950’s] ‘Portion of macromolecule showing double helical structure’ Cavendish Laboratory [Made by A. Barker] Scale 2cm = 1Å H108cm x W46.5cm x D46.5cm
		Large ball and spoke model Built by Alexander Barker, for the International Science Pavilion, Brussels World Exhibition, 1958 Scale 2.5cm = 1Å H187cm x W62cm x D62cm, Weight 49.25kg
		Reproduction of Watson & Crick’s 1953 skeletal model Built by Roger Lucke and Claudio Villa, LMB workshop, for the ‘DNA: 50 years of the double helix’ exhibition, Cambridge, 2003 H200cm x W120cm x D120cm On display at the Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, Cambridge, until December 2010
		Small, modern ball and spoke model Made by Beevers Models, 2003 H49cm x W25cm x D25cm
		Base plate from the Watson and Crick 1953 model Signed by Francis Crick and Jim Watson Donated to LMB by Arthur Arnone (LMB Alumnus) ‘You will notice it is an adenine that is missing its C6-amino nitrogen bond. This is how I found it 31 years ago on a dusty bench [in] the model-building room across from Max’s office. There were about 6 bases there at the time. I had just picked up the adenine when Francis Crick walked by the door on his way down the hall. I rushed over and asked him if this was one of the original bases. He said that he thought it was, and I was bold enough to ask if he would autograph it. A year later I was able to get Jim Watson’s signature when he stopped by the LMB on a visit’ Arthur Arnone, 28 October 2003
		Wire ‘sample’ models of molecules and amino acids used for model building, in a wood and glass display case Cambridge Repetition Engineers
		9 A4 drawings for making atomic models, including proteins and DNA bases, from LMB to Cambridge Repetition Engineers [late 1950’s/early 1960’s]
		Polyadenylic Acid ball and spoke model Scale 2.5cm = 1Å

For DNA: 50th Anniversary of the Double Helix – see Events

Enzyme Models
		‘Model of the structure of the enzyme, F1-ATPase, which was solved in 1994 by John Walker, joint Nobel prize winner for chemistry 1997, and his colleagues Andrew Leslie, Jan-Pieter Abrahams and Renee Lutter – see Nature 370, 621-628 (1994). F1-ATPase is the catalytic component of ATP synthase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of ATP in living cells. The gamma subunit (blue) is believed to rotate within the three alpha (red) and three beta (yellow) subunits during catalysis’ The model was constructed by Chris Hellon, Andrew Leslie and Mick Fordham in the MRC LMB workshops

Muscle Models
		‘A Huxley sliding muscle filament model’ Automated model of muscle filament showing the sliding mechanism. Hugh Huxley, [Late 1950’s]

Protein Models and Artefacts
		Early [balsa wood] model of haemoglobin Max Perutz, 1959 ‘Model of haemoglobin, the protein of the red blood cells. Built by Max Perutz in September 1959 at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. The segments represent peaks of high density in a three-dimensional map obtained by x-ray crystallography. They outline the course of the four polypeptide chains, while the red disks represent the four haems. This and John Kendrew’s related model of myoglobin were the first protein structures ever solved’
		Large wire model of haemoglobin Max Perutz [1959] In storage, 2009
		Perspex stacked electron density map of the α chain of haemoglobin. Built by Max Perutz and the LMB workshop
		5.5 Angstrom model of horse haemoglobin Built in 1959 by Michael Rossmann Donated to LMB by Michael Rossmann (LMB Alumnus)
		Set of 5.5 Angstrom oxyhaemoglobin maps Hand-drawn in 1959 by Michael Rossmann Donated to LMB by Michael Rossmann (LMB Alumnus)
		Sperm Whale Myoglobin ‘Model built by A.A.Barker. To an original design and specification supplied by Dr H.C.Watson, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England’ [1960’s]
		Large ‘sausage’ model of myoglobin Built in [1959] by John Kendrew
		John Kendrew’s small sausage model of myoglobin, collected from his study at his home in Linton shortly after he died in 1997, with permission of his executor Donated to LMB Archives by Michael Fuller, 2005
		John Kendrew’s perspex stack Fourier map of myoglobin, collected from his study at his home in Linton shortly after he died in 1997, with permission of his executor Donated to LMB Archives by Michael Fuller, 2005
		Perspex stack of myoglobin showing haem group, in wooden case
		Alpha Helix ball and spoke model Cavendish Laboratory [1950’s] Scale 2.5cm = 1Å
		Polyglycine II ball and spoke model F.H.C. Crick and A. Rich Cavendish Laboratory [1955] Reference: Nature 176: 780-781, 22 October 1955
		Poly(L-glutamine) ball and spoke model of two paired antiparallel β-strands Max Perutz [1994] Reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 91: 5355-5358, 1994

Ribosome Models and Artefacts
		Large glass layered contour map of Ribosome Tetramer: RNA (Opaque) and protein W. Kühlbrandt

Virus Models and Artefacts
		Large model of the structure of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) Built for the International Science Pavilion, Brussels World Exhibition, 1958, by the sculptor, John Ernest Rosalind Franklin Group, Birkbeck College, London Brought to LMB by Aaron Klug, 1962 More images
		Large model of the structure of Poliomyelitis Built for the International Science Pavilion, Brussels World Exhibition, 1958, by the sculptor John Ernest Rosalind Franklin Group, Birkbeck College, London Brought to LMB by Aaron Klug, 1962 More images
		Self-assembling model of the protein shell of a spherical virus particle. Complete model and part model to show the principle of self-assembling Further details Aaron Klug
		Two-dimensional paper lattice showing the idea of equivalence in the regular structure of the protein part of virus particles Aaron Klug
		Collection of geometric models exploring possible virus structure, made from paper, plastics and assorted materials Aaron Klug and John Finch
		"Model to illustrate a portion of the close-packed array formed by helically grooved rods when fully interlocked. It is suggested that in dry tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) the particles pack in this way." Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 19: 403, 1956 Rosalind Franklin and Aaron Klug Donated to LMB Archives by Aaron Klug
		Small glass layered contour map of Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus [approximately 8 glass layers] Tony Crowther
		Medium glass layered contour map of Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus [approximately 16 glass layers] Tony Crowther
		Medium glass layered contour map of Turnip Crinkle Virus: small particle [approximately 25 glass layers] Tony Crowther

Science Museum Collection
		A large number of models are on long loan to the Science Museum, London. These were originally displayed at the LMB 40^th Anniversary exhibition "Living Molecules" that took place in 1988. Several models are still on exhibition, while others are in storage with the Science Museum

Events Artefacts
		LMB 40^th Anniversary, 1987 London Underground Poster designed by Lynch Rutherford Associates, for 1988 Science Museum exhibition. ‘Living Molecules. The First 40 Years of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology. A Special Exhibition from 17th March 1988. The National Museum of Science and Industry. Science Museum. MRC Medical Research Council. Nearest tube South Kensington’
		LMB 40^th Anniversary, 1987 Navy, long sleeve T-shirt produced for the 40^th Anniversary of LMB. Anniversary logo on front, virus structure on reverse
		LMB 40^th Anniversary, 1987 White china mug with anniversary logo in blue, produced for the 40^th Anniversary of LMB
		DNA 50^th Anniversary of the Double Helix, 2003 LMB Conference Poster for 25^th April 2003, listing planned programme and application details (A3)
		DNA 50^th Anniversary of the Double Helix, 2003 LMB commemorative T-shirt for staff and alumni, white, with gold DNA helix conference logo and ‘DNA: 50 years of the double helix’ title
		DNA 50^th Anniversary of the Double Helix, 2003 MRC produced pottery mug ‘Celebrating 50 years of the double helix 1953-2003’ with genome sequence image. As part of the MRC ‘Celebrating life DNA structure 1953-2003’ celebrations
		DNA 50^th Anniversary of the Double Helix, 2003 Collection of material from the Whipple Museum exhibition ‘Representations of the Double Helix’
		DNA 50^th Anniversary of the Double Helix, 2003 Royal Mint £2 coin produced in association with LMB for the anniversary year
		DNA 50^th Anniversary of the Double Helix, 2003 Barrington Brown/Science Photo Library Commemorative Poster. ‘Discovery of the DNA double helix. 50^th Anniversary 1953 – 2003’ Antony Barrington Brown’s Watson & Crick with DNA photograph from 1953, with information about DNA, The Discovery, James Watson and Francis Crick 670mm x 483mm
		The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, 2006 ‘The body’s Daily Clock’ Michael Hastings, Elizabeth Maywood and John O’Brien Copy of exhibition material and leaflets, ‘MRC Clock Crew’ polo shirt, promotional gifts: frisbees & yo-yos
		The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, 2008 ‘Can worms unlock the secrets of our minds?’ Mario de Bono & William Schafer Copy of exhibition material and leaflets, promotional gifts: holographic card and worm lapel pin

LMB Artefacts
		Party Invitation: ‘The Members of the Medical Research Council Unit for Molecular Biology request the pleasure of the company of ... Dr Alexander Rich ... for a Hut-Warming Party on Monday, 5th May, 1958’ Donated to LMB Archives by Alex Rich (LMB almnus)
		Door plaque from ‘the hut.’ ‘Cavendish Laboratory. Medical Research Council Unit for Molecular Biology’ Removed from the building 30 March 1962. Donated to LMB Archives by Hans Boye (LMB almnus)
		‘Change of Address’ card for the MRC Unit for Molecular Biology ‘As from the 12th February, 1962, the above unit will be known as: Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University Postgraduate Medical School, Hills Road, Cambridge. Telephone 48011’

Nobel Prize Artefacts
		John Kendrew Nobel Prize Medal (Original) 10 December 1962
		John Kendrew Nobel Prize Medal (Replica) 10 December 1962
		John Kendrew Nobel Prize illustrated presentation 10 December 1962
		Aaron Klug signed Champagne bottle from LMB Nobel Party. ‘To Jenny, Aaron Klug 18 October 1982’ Donated to LMB Archives by Jenny Brightwell, 2009
		César Milstein signed Champagne bottle from LMB Nobel Party. ‘César Milstein 1984 (Nobel Day)’ Donated to LMB Archives by Jenny Brightwell, 2009
		Venki Ramakrishnan signed Champagne bottle from LMB Nobel Party. ‘Venki Ramakrishnan 7 Oct 2009’
		John Walker signed Champagne bottle from LMB Nobel Party. ‘John Walker October 97’ Donated to LMB Archives by Jenny Brightwell, 2009
		B1 size poster for the ‘Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2002.’ Sydney Brenner, Robert Horvitz and John Sulston The Nobel Committee, 2002
		B1 size poster for the ‘Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2006.’ Andrew Fire and Craig Mello The Nobel Committee, 2006

Queen’s Awards
		‘The Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement’ Warrant 1989
		‘The Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement’ Warrant 1991

Sculptures
		‘DNA Double Helix’ Bronze by Robin Holliday Made in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA, 1953-2003
		‘The Trio and the Double Helix’ Francis Crick, James Watson and Rosalind Franklin By Professor Sir Roy Calne, 2003 Donated to LMB by Sir Roy Calne

Miscellaneous Items
		César Milstein: Argentine postal stamp in presentation pack commemorating César Milstein, issued 4 June 2005
		Max Perutz: MRC Lab coat used by Max Perutz, and marked ‘MFP’ on the inside of the collar. Given to the LMB Archives 2002
		Max Perutz: assorted drawing/mathematical instruments from Max Perutz’s office (several with ‘MFP’ etched on the instrument). Given to the LMB Archives 2002
		Max Perutz: Door plaque from Max Perutz’s office ‘M. F. Perutz.’ Given to the LMB Archives 2002
		MRC Technology ‘MRC Nobel Prize Winners Biotech Pioneers’ T-shirt. Front includes images of Crick, Watson, Sanger, Kendrew, Klug, Perutz, Milstein, Brenner & Sulston. Reverse titled ‘MRC World Tour 1950-2005’ and lists Nobel winners

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Models & Artefacts

DNA & Nucleic Acid Models

Enzyme Models

Muscle Models

Protein Models and Artefacts

Ribosome Models and Artefacts

Virus Models and Artefacts

Science Museum Collection

Events Artefacts

LMB Artefacts

Nobel Prize Artefacts

Queen’s Awards

Sculptures

Miscellaneous Items