This 3D-Printed Art Piece Shows Its Creator’s Own DNA Sequence

It has been less than 20 years since the first human genome sequences were first published by the Human Genome Project. Since then, we’ve managed to dramatically improve the sequencing process. It took 13 years and approximately $5 billion dollars to produce those first genome sequences, but now you can have whole genome sequencing completed as a service for less than $600 and receive the results in less than two weeks. Most people probably don’t have much of a practical use for that information, but Paul Klinger decided to create a 3D-printed art piece that is animated with his own DNA sequence.

As you may recall from your biology classes, DNA is made up of just four nucleobases: cytosine, guanine, adenine, and thymine. Those pair together to form the famous double helix shape of DNA strands. Klinger's sculpture replicates a short nine-pair DNA segment. The nucleobases are represented by short translucent tubes. Those are lit by LEDs and the colors can be changed to signify which specific nucleobase is present at that location. By cycling the colors, long DNA sequences can be displayed—including your own that you can receive from a genome sequencing service.

The translucent tubes are lit by NeoPixel-style individually-addressable RGB LEDs, which are controlled by a Raspberry Pi. A Python script is used to parse the reference file with the standard human genome and the file with Klinger's own unique differences, and then set the corresponding LEDs to the proper color via the Pi’s GPIO pins. At the same time, a small OLED screen also displays the current portion of the sequence. All of the plastic parts were designed in Autodesk Fusion 360, and then 3D-printed on a Prusa i3 MK3S. Klinger has made those design files available if you want to make your own DNA sculpture. You can even use a bogus DNA sequence if you don’t want to pay to have yours sequenced, because really who is really going to notice the difference?