Rod‑shaped bacteria model designed for demos and displays.
The kit shows the envelope layers and key internal components, and uses real 1.75 mm filament to create realistic pili and a helical flagellum.
What’s included:
- Capsule shell with perimeter anchor holes
- Cell wall ring (blue)
- Plasma membrane ring (green)
- Cytoplasm plate (yellow)
- Nucleoid / chromosomal DNA (rope‑like solid)
- Plasmid loops (small DNA rings)
- Ribosomes
- mRNA strand, polymerase bead, protein beads
Printing
- PETG or PLA · 0.20 mm layers · 3 perimeters · 15–25 % infill
- No supports required
- Anchor holes sized for Ø 1.85 mm (tuned for 1.75 mm filament; lightly ream if your printer runs tight)
Assembly (cyanoacrylate/CA glue)
- Dry‑fit, then glue the cell wall and membrane rings onto the capsule.
- Glue in the cytoplasm plate.
- Place the nucleoid centrally and the plasmids away from the wall for visibility.
- Glue ribosomes scattered through the cytoplasm (slightly fewer directly above the DNA).
- Optional polysome: glue the mRNA starting near a plasmid, then attach 2 ribosomes along it; add same‑color protein beads near the ribosomes; the polymerase bead sits at the plasmid where the mRNA begins.
Pili (press‑fit + heat‑pull)
- Press‑fit 1.75 mm filament into the Ø 1.85 mm holes.
- Warm each protruding end with a lighter or PTC hot‑air blower from a soldering station; grip with tweezers and pull to form a tapered hair‑like pilus. Trim as needed.
Flagellum (filament coil)
- Wrap filament around a pen to make a coil
- Press‑fit one end into a side anchor hole (add a drop of CA inside if desired).
Safety
- Heat‑forming should be done carefully and in a ventilated area.
- Small parts and sharp filament ends—handle responsibly
perseids
