PeppyChains: Simplifying the assembly of 3D-printed generic protein models

Abstract

Peppytides is a coarse-grained, accurate, physical model of the polypeptide chain. I have shared instructions to make your own polypeptide chain and STL files of Peppytides in MAKE magazine in Jan 2014 issue. However, Peppytides involves a lot of steps and assembly of units. People were asking me, 'Is there any easier way to make these models?'. I have been at several workshops, hands-on sessions, talks and a science events with Peppytides. From the feedback that I got everywhere, most of the makers, teachers and students want something that is 3D-Print-&-Go, or at least easier to make, even at the cost of some features. I have designed a new version of the model, named PeppyChains, in which the backbone chain of the model can be 3d-printed as a single unit. PeppyChains design eliminates the assembling of parts to form the backbone chain, but with the cost of losing the ability to use bias-magnets to favor certain phi/psi angles in the backbone. I have been demonstrating PeppyChains at various talks and workshops along with Peppytides, and I have received requests for making the STL file public. On popular demand, here I am sharing this STL and providing the step-by-step instructions to make PeppyChains. Just add the hydrogen-bond magnets, paint and color-code the atoms, and you are ready to go! No drilling. No time consuming assembly.