Merry Christmas Chromosome Nails!

I didn’t think I could mix genetics with Christmas, but after racking my brain for ideas, I came up with a rather interesting design! Here are my chromosome nails accented with Christmas coloured genetic loci! To explain the diagram a bit better, the centromere is where the sister chromatids meet in the center to form a chromosome. To put it simply, the banding patterns on the chromatids represent genes that can code for genetic traits. My fiancé wanted me to be as accurate in my explanation as possible, this is a beauty blog not a genetics textbook! If you would like to know more, I have some good book recommendations!

xmas_chromosomes

To create this design, I started off with three coats of a jelly white called Essie –Marshmallow that has been on my list of lemmings for a VERY long time that I managed to find in a dusty corner of London Drugs!

essie_marshmallow

For a more Christmas feel, I topped off Essie – Marshmallow with my now eternal favourite, China Glaze – Fairy Dust.

marshmallow_fairydust2

I then created the chromosome outlines with black acrylic paint, dotted the centromeres with Sally Hansen Xtremewear – Mellow Yellow and used a red striper and China Glaze – Running in Circles for the banding patterns.

xmas_chromosomes3

I hope you guys enjoyed this bit of Christmas nerdiness! We’re on the home stretch now before Christmas!

P.S. As a side note, many of you know that Traci, Christa and I host the Monday Blues Blog Hop which we have now decided to do every other Sunday. We’re taking a break over the Christmas holiday, but will resume after that so if any of you are interested in co-hosting we welcome you to contact us at mondaybluesbloghop(at)gmail(dot)com.

27 comments

  1. Aww, so creative! Love the way that China Glaze Fairy Dust looks :)

    xx Ellie
    www.ellalogy.com 

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    1. Thank you! I am OBSESSED with Fairy Dust! It makes all polishes so much prettier!

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  2. Haha this is sooo cute and so you :) Marshmallow looks so good on you!

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    1. Aww, thank you Traci! How "sweet" of you to say! LOL

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  3. This is unique- I love it. You're quite creative!

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  4. As a biology major and a lover of nail polish, this is awesome.

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  5. YAY!! Why the heck didn't I think of this?

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    1. LOL, believe me, I was wracking my brain for a VERY long time!

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  6. I love Fairy Dust... it makes manis sparkle like no other. And I love how you do these bio-related nails... I have NO CLUE about any of it but it's nice that you can combine your background into unique nail designs. I, on the other hand, cannot think of any way combine legalese with nail art... maybe some scales or a gavel or something?

    xo, alison*elle

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    1. Yes, law nails!!
      I'd like to think that I'm using my degree for something useful! Hahaha!

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  7. Such a fun design! Marshmallow has been on my wish list for SO long - one day I'll get my hands on a bottle. :)

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    1. I was SHOCKED when I saw it all alone. I hope you find it too!

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  8. This is so cute!! I love your science-y and informational nails, haha! ♥

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    1. Would informative be a better word? ..Either way they're awesome!

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    2. LOL, I knew what you meant ;-)

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  9. Your snowman nails were featured in this article about.. nail art activism? lol http://bust.com/blog/rise-of-the-nail-art-activists.html

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    1. Thank you for letting me know! I never would have known about this!

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  10. So excited I just found your blog; I love it! My senior design project is in bioengineering so this is just the type of nail art for me! :)

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    1. Awww! I'm so glad you enjoy it! I love finding other nerdy girls like me!

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  11. Centromeres, hehe! The science nerd in me had a great laugh :)

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    1. LOL, I was hoping someone would get a laugh out of it!

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  12. i love your science nails! geek chic!! i may need to pick up marshmallow & fairy dust.

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    1. Thank you! Marshmallow was just so hard to find, so I wish you all the luck in the world in your search and Fairy Dust, well, you just HAVE to have it!

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