TY - JOUR
T1 - 3D Printing of Human Microbiome Constituents to Understand Spatial Relationships & Shape Parameters in Bacteriology
AU - Izard, Jacques
AU - Gerbaba, Teklu Kuru
AU - Yumul, Shara R.P.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. Please direct all requests for permission to photocopy or reproduce article content through the University of California Press's Reprints and Permissions web page, .
PY - 2021/3/1
Y1 - 2021/3/1
N2 - Effective laboratory and classroom demonstration of microbiome size and shape, diversity, and ecological relationships is hampered by a lack of high-resolution, easy-to-use, readily accessible physical or digital models for use in teaching. Three-dimensional (3D) representations are, overall, more effective in communicating visuospatial information, allowing for a better understanding of concepts not directly observable with the unaided eye. Published morphology descriptions and microscopy images were used as the basis for designing 3D digital models, scaled at 20,000×, using computer-aided design software (CAD) and generating printed models of bacteria on mass-market 3D printers. Sixteen models are presented, including rod-shaped, spiral, flask-like, vibroid, and filamentous bacteria as well as different arrangements of cocci. Identical model scaling enables direct comparison as well as design of a wide range of educational plans.
AB - Effective laboratory and classroom demonstration of microbiome size and shape, diversity, and ecological relationships is hampered by a lack of high-resolution, easy-to-use, readily accessible physical or digital models for use in teaching. Three-dimensional (3D) representations are, overall, more effective in communicating visuospatial information, allowing for a better understanding of concepts not directly observable with the unaided eye. Published morphology descriptions and microscopy images were used as the basis for designing 3D digital models, scaled at 20,000×, using computer-aided design software (CAD) and generating printed models of bacteria on mass-market 3D printers. Sixteen models are presented, including rod-shaped, spiral, flask-like, vibroid, and filamentous bacteria as well as different arrangements of cocci. Identical model scaling enables direct comparison as well as design of a wide range of educational plans.
KW - 3D printing
KW - microbiology education
KW - science literacy
KW - tactile
KW - visual
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U2 - 10.1525/abt.2021.83.3.188
DO - 10.1525/abt.2021.83.3.188
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85104663849
SN - 0002-7685
VL - 83
SP - 188
EP - 189
JO - American Biology Teacher
JF - American Biology Teacher
IS - 3
ER -