Big Bacteriophage

This project will be about making a big version of a bacteriophage which are microscopic by nature. What is a bacteriophage? Well, bacteriophages are viruses that replicate by attacking bacteria. There name is a combination of the word bacteria and phage which means "to eat or devour" from Latin/Ancient Greek origins. This is why they are often are often referred to as bacteria eaters. i remember seeing bacteriophage as part of another classes 3D modeling assignment in high school, and I thought it looked cool. As a result, i decided to make a big craft version of a bacteriophage.

Supplies

Tools:

Scissors

Ruler

Paint Brush

Printer

Materials:

Paper

Cardboard tube from paper towel roll

Color Markers

White Paint

Glue

Index Cards

Step 1: Download the Capsid Head

The best place to begin is which the capsid head which holds the virus's genetic information. It is represented by a icosahedral solid. I have already modeled a simple icosahedron and deconstructed to a 2D print. Please download and print the .pdf file name icohedron PDF. It is essentially a paper craft that can be cut and glued into a 3D object. It was a continuous paper layout but I separated into four pages so that the triangles were not cut-off by the margins.

Step 2: Cut and Glue the Icosehedron

Using your scissor (an Exact-o Knife works well too) cut out around the diagrams from each of the pages. The closer the cut is to the line then the better the result. Be sure to not cut the flaps since they are necessary to attached each side together.

After cutting all of the pieces out, you may have noticed the A, B, and C letters on some of the sides. This are the points that I separated so that the shapes would fit whole on each page. Each letter has a corresponding sides that must be matched and glued together. Afterwards it should look like one giant piece.

Now it is just a matter of folding the paper at each of the triangle's lines and the flaps. Glue each of the flaps will the closest side that appears as you slightly fold down each side. You should have a solid icosahedron in no time.

Step 3: Glue Onto a Cardboard Roll

Grab your cardboard paper towel roll that you may have lying around. This is the time to paint the tube with white paint so that it will be easier to color later on. Also, cut an index card length wise in three equal parts, it will serve as a collar for the bacteriophage. As you can see from one of the photos, I used the edge of a ruler to make sure that I glue the two pieces of an index card into a one straight strip.

Glue on the collar with the two shorter strips of index card. Then glue on the icosahedron and let it dry.

Step 4: Base and Tails

Use the index cards to trace out a hole that matches the size of the tube. Use the markers and ruler to make a square base with two index cards, as shown. There are additional index cards that are folded up into rectangles which will serve as the spikes (legs) around the base.

Then, cut a sheet of paper into six pieces length wise. The pieces of paper will be rolled up and glued at the end. These will serve as the tails of the Bacteriophage.

Step 5: Assemble Together

Glue the base piece together and cut the hole in the base so that the tube can be attached. Afterwards bend and insert the tails in between the base opening and the tube. Glue them together and let it dry. Use White paint to touch up the tube and any other part of the bacteriophage. Now you can color it any color you would like. I did a dark green wireframe with bright green filling which looked cool to me. This is a great idea for a science project visual aid or a virus piñata. Hope you all liked this project and thank you!