Da Veiga Beltrame Eduardo, Tyrwhitt-Drake James, Roy Ian, Shalaby Raed, Suckale Jakob, Pomeranz Krummel Daniel
Department of Physics, Brandeis University.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (BCBB), NIH/NIAID/OD/OSMO/OCICB.
J Vis Exp. 2017 Mar 13(121):55427. doi: 10.3791/55427.
The construction of physical three-dimensional (3D) models of biomolecules can uniquely contribute to the study of the structure-function relationship. 3D structures are most often perceived using the two-dimensional and exclusively visual medium of the computer screen. Converting digital 3D molecular data into real objects enables information to be perceived through an expanded range of human senses, including direct stereoscopic vision, touch, and interaction. Such tangible models facilitate new insights, enable hypothesis testing, and serve as psychological or sensory anchors for conceptual information about the functions of biomolecules. Recent advances in consumer 3D printing technology enable, for the first time, the cost-effective fabrication of high-quality and scientifically accurate models of biomolecules in a variety of molecular representations. However, the optimization of the virtual model and its printing parameters is difficult and time consuming without detailed guidance. Here, we provide a guide on the digital design and physical fabrication of biomolecule models for research and pedagogy using open source or low-cost software and low-cost 3D printers that use fused filament fabrication technology.
生物分子物理三维（3D）模型的构建对结构-功能关系的研究具有独特的贡献。3D结构通常是通过计算机屏幕这一二维且仅为视觉的媒介来感知的。将数字3D分子数据转换为实物能够通过包括直接立体视觉、触觉和交互在内的更广泛人类感官来感知信息。这种实体模型有助于获得新见解、进行假设检验，并作为关于生物分子功能的概念信息的心理或感官锚点。消费级3D打印技术的最新进展首次使得能够以具有成本效益的方式制造各种分子表示形式的高质量且科学准确的生物分子模型。然而，在没有详细指导的情况下，虚拟模型及其打印参数的优化既困难又耗时。在此，我们提供一份使用开源或低成本软件以及采用熔丝制造技术的低成本3D打印机进行生物分子模型数字设计和物理制造的指南，用于研究和教学。
