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Sweet Mastery
Insulin is an hormone that regulates our bodies' use of
fatty acids and sugar. Keeping blood glucose levels just right
is critical: too much damages organs, too little and we run out of
gas. Insulin is the carburetor: it controls how sugar is burned,
and helps keep glucose levels safely in bounds.
It's also a lovely molecule! This 3D model of human
insulin shows its trefoil structure (this is the T6 form), its the
protein chains, zinc ions and molecular surface all drawn with
exquisite accuracy.
The sculpture is a glass cube 3 1/4" in size, weighing over 3 pounds,
excellent as a paperweight or display model. (If that's too
big, insulin
keychains are here.)
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Prized Discovery
Diabetes is caused by either the body not producing insulin, or cells
not responding to it. In the 1920's it changed from a deadly
illness to one that we live with, thanks to the Nobel-winning team of
Banting, Best, MacLeod and Collip, who discovered how insulin works,
learned to extract it, then gave away their patent so lives could be
saved.
The data for this sculpture was kindly provided by Dr. G. David
Smith, emeritus of the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
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The Insulin crystal comes with clear rubber feet to prevent
scratches on your desk or mantel. Without a stand, it will work best
against a dark background.
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No Protein Is An Island
This is an up-close look at one of the great success stories of medical
science: a therapy that works with the body, using its own tools, to
restore its balance.
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White light stand - $21
Light up your molecule with this sleek
piano-finish stand. The LEDs are cool, long-lasting, bright by
day or night, and use little energy.
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