Innovative
digital manufacturing solution of 3D printed molecular
models for better education in bio-molecular sciences
(EDUMOL3D), PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0343, No. 25PED/2025
- Research
project funded by the Ministry of Research, Innovation
and Digitization, UEFISCDI, project number
PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0343, within PNCDI IV;
- Funding
amount: 780.400 lei (156.000 euros) - 750 000 lei
(150.000 euros) from the state budget; 30 400 lei (6000
euros) from private budget;
- Partners:
Coordinator - Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of
Iasi, Romania (628 400 lei, about 126 000 euros)
Partner - PROTECH R&D S.R.L. (152.000,00 lei, about
30000 euros)
- Funding period: 31 months (08/01/2025 – 31/12/2026).
Project summary:
The quality of bio-molecular sciences education influences fundamentally many aspects of society and our everyday life. One key aspect of bio-molecular education is the structure-to-function relationship in molecules. While this is usually taught using 2D models and images, as well as 3D animations and movies, it has been shown that students prefer the usage of physical models of complex macromolecules. Touching and handling models offer them a more complete and immersive learning experience. Several solutions for creating and fabricating physical models of complex macromolecules from different materials have emerged, but none have the flexibility and low cost of 3D printing. The challenge here is converting the available and scientifically correct structural data into 3D printable files. This proposal is using a workflow developed by the PI ( for details please visit modelemoleculare.ro and 10.1002/bmb.21493) and aims to create an automated web service for converting structural data from scientific databases such as RCSB PDB into 3D printable files and printing instructions. Unlike other services available, this tool will focus on printing molecular models on cheap consumer-grade printers and on providing clear printing instructions. The service will be released under the CC BY license as a supplementary measure to ensure the long-term impact of the project - improve the quality of education in all fields related to bio-molecular sciences by providing access for educators and students to scientifically sound and cheap teaching materials.
Project members:
| Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași | ||
|
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
U-1700-038N-4243 |
|
Computer Sciences | U-1700-032N-7210 |
|
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | U-2400-072L-0293 |
| PROTECH R&D S.R.L. | ||
|
3D Printing specialist |
U-1900-063U-8614 |
| News | Project's objectives and activities: | Publications |
Project's objectives and activities:
Activities in 2025:
Step 1. Define the technical requirements of the web-service.A.1.3 - Establish the technical requirements for the integration of the web-service with PROTECH web-site/platform
A.2.1 - Select and test the best software platform for developing the web-based pipeline
A2.3 - Create a pipeline for the automation of the digital 3D design files generation process
A.2.4 - Integrate the pipeline with the selected web-platform
A.3.1 - Identify and select 5 representative molecules (samples) to be used as a benchmark for assessing printability.
A.3.2 - Printability assessment of the selected benchmark molecular models on 3D printers using various technologies. (e.g. FDM, SLA).
A.3.3 - Assessment of printing quality
A.3.4 - Improve the scripts used by the web-based automatic pipeline and create printing instructions by printing process optimization.
A.3.5 - Create help pages and guidelines for using the automatic web-service.
A.4.1 - Disseminate the availability of the automatic web-based service in the life-sciences community
A.4.2 - Testing the automatic web-based service by printing models generated by real users
Contact
Project manager:
Marius Mihasan, PhD
E-mail: marius.mihasan@uaic.ro
Phone: 40(0)232201102 - 2434
Fax: 40(0)232201472
Further details: here
