Stereolithographic models of biopolymers.
Stereolithography (STL) has been used to make plastic models of the solvent accessible surfaces of biopolymers. Models have been made of proteins and proteins bound to DNA and RNA. The STL process uses a laser to photopolymerize a liquid resin. Using the ACES (accurate, clear, epoxy, solid) building technique, parts are made with minimum postcure shrinkage. Protein Data Bank files are converted to STL files that represent the surface topology of the biopolymer as a series of triangles and an index that describes their orientation. The models are useful in teaching biomolecular structure and the principle of docking. They are especially useful to the visually impaired.
School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City 64108, USA. yourteed@umkc.edu
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Hodgson
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000737:chemistry; D001665:Binding Sites; D001704:Biopolymers; D002480:Cellulase / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010969:Plastics; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012360:RNA, Transfer, Phe / Q000737:chemistry*; D012116:Resins, Plant; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D001704:Biopolymers; D010969:Plastics; D011506:Proteins; D012360:RNA, Transfer, Phe; D012116:Resins, Plant; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D004247:DNA; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002480:Cellulase