Bioprinting Blog

Everyday Proteins -  Let's take a closer look at insulin In our last blog, we learned how to to download a protein PDB file and convert it into a STL format suitable for 3D printing. Now here is your chance to start exploring the wonderful world of proteins. Let us print our first everyday protein - Insulin. INSULIN An essential hormone in our body that regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Insulin is produced by cells in the pancreas called beta cells and is regulated in our body to ensure a balanced glucose levels. Too high or too low levels of glucose in our body can result in conditions known as hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.  Steps: (1) Go to the protein database website (www.pdb.org) (2) Search for 1TRZ (3) Download the PDB file and follow steps from the previous tutorial (4) Print your first insulin molecule and let's start exploring this fascinating molecule together 3D Printed View Here is a 3D printed insulin molecule and pictures from front...

Welcome to the first mini-series of educational blogs with 3D printing. In Discover Proteins, you will learn how to download and print complex 3D molecules such as proteins. Start exploring unique structures of proteins using your 3D printer.  In this mini tutorial, you will see how easy it is to do this. With the ease and convenience to print pretty much any structure you can find in the protein database, there is really so much you can do for your classroom in this amazing field of science. Get the kids excited to learn more about the protein by exploring their 3D structures and let them feel, hold and visualize the proteins in their hands. A Hemoglobin Molecule In this blog, I have printed the hemoglobin molecule as a demonstration. It is really quite easy to download the files, convert them and send them to the 3D printer. This is a good opportunity for young kids to explore and learn about the World Wide Protein Data Bank ( www.r...