Escherichia coli E coli Bacterium 3D model

This is a high-quality 3D model of the Escherichia coli bacterium designed for use in scientific visualisations, animations, educational content, and medical illustration.

Features:Exterior Layers

Capsule (Capsula) – A transparent, slimy outermost layer rendered with subsurface scattering and glossiness, giving it a hydrated biofilm look. It provides a realistic barrier surrounding the cell.

Cell Wall (Peptidoglycan Layer) – Subtly visible beneath the capsule as a textured, semi-rigid layer that defines the rod-shaped structure. Modeled with a slight bumpiness to mimic bacterial envelope stiffness.

Plasma Membrane (Cytoplasmic Membrane) – Accurately placed under the wall, creating the realistic triple-layered envelope of Gram-negative bacteria.

Appendages

Fimbriae (Fimbriae) – Dozens of short, thin hair-like structures densely covering the surface. Generated via a hair particle system to simulate their high number (~100–500 per cell).

Pili (Pili / F Pili) – Thicker and slightly longer than fimbriae, placed more sparsely. Their attachment originates from deeper layers, connecting to the inner membrane system.

Flagella (Flagellum) – Long, curved, whip-like filaments (modeled optionally) can be added for motility. These originate from the basal body embedded in the membrane.

Interior Components

Cytoplasm – Semi-transparent inner body with depth and mild SSS effects for realism.

Ribosomes (70S type) – Hundreds of tiny red-orange dots scattered throughout the cytoplasm, generated via volume-based particle system. Represent protein synthesis machinery.

Nucleoid Region – Dense, purple, tangled DNA filament accurately resembling the circular bacterial chromosome, floating in the central cytoplasmic space.

Plasmids – Small, circular strands modeled independently, representing extra-chromosomal DNA.