Nobel Prizes and PDB structures
award-winning research
Many Nobel Prize awards in physics, chemistry, and physiology/medicine have recognized scientific achievements that can be associated with structural biology. The articles and resources below highlight many of these PDB structures and related experimental techniques.
Molecule of the Month Articles (30)
 | Adenylyl Cyclase Adenylyl cyclase creates second messengers to amplify signals from G-protein coupled receptors |
 | Adrenergic Receptors Adrenaline stimulates a G-protein-coupled receptor, priming us for action |
 | Aminopeptidase 1 and Autophagy Aminopeptidase 1 is delivered inside the cell using the machinery of autophagy |
 | Antibodies Antibodies search for foreign molecules in the blood |
 | Aquaporin Aquaporins create a channel for water molecules to cross through cell membranes |
 | ATP Synthase ATP synthase links two rotary motors to generate ATP |
 | Bacteriorhodopsin Bacteriorhodopsin pumps protons powered by green sunlight |
 | Capsaicin Receptor TRPV1 TRPV1 is an ion channel that senses heat and contributes to pain sensation. |
 | Cascade and CRISPR Cascade and CRISPR help bacteria remember how to fight viral infection |
 | Circadian Clock Proteins Circadian clock proteins measure time in our cells |
 | Click Chemistry A modular approach to chemistry simplifies the construction of complex protein-targeting molecules. |
 | Directed Evolution of Enzymes Biological evolution is being harnessed in the lab to create new enzymes. |
 | DNA Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information |
 | G Proteins G proteins receive signals from cellular receptors and deliver them inside the cell |
 | Hemoglobin Hemoglobin uses a change in shape to increase the efficiency of oxygen transport |
 | Hepatitis C Virus Protease/Helicase Structures of hepatitis C viral proteins have led to the discovery of direct-acting antivirals. |
 | Hypoxia-Inducible Factors HIF-α is a molecular switch that responds to changing oxygen levels. |
 | Myoglobin Myoglobin was the first protein to have its atomic structure determined, revealing how it stores oxygen in muscle cells. |
 | PDB Pioneers A dozen historic structures set the foundation for the PDB archive |
 | Photosystem I Photosystem I captures the energy in sunlight |
 | Photosystem II Photosystem II captures the energy from sunlight and uses it to extract electrons from water molecules |
 | Piezo1 Mechanosensitive Channel Mechanosensitive ion channels give our cells a sense of touch. |
 | Potassium Channels Potassium channels allow potassium ions to pass, but block smaller sodium ions |
 | Ribonuclease A Ribonuclease cuts and controls RNA |
 | Ribosomal Subunits Atomic structures of the ribosomal subunits reveal a central role for RNA in protein synthesis |
 | Ribosome Ribosomes are complex molecular machines that build proteins |
 | RNA Polymerase RNA polymerase transcribes genetic information from DNA into RNA |
 | Spliceosomes Cryoelectron microscropy is revealing how spliceosomes cut-and-paste messenger RNA molecules. |
 | Telomerase Telomerase maintains the ends of our chromosomes. |
 | Tobacco Mosaic Virus A cylindrical arrangement of proteins protects a long strand of RNA in TMV |
Learning Resources (25)
 | DNA Paper Model Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information |
 | Green and Red Fluorescent Proteins Paper Model A tiny fluorescent protein from jellyfish has revolutionized cell biology |
 | G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) Paper Model GPCRs are a large family of membrane-embedded receptors, with structural features that have been preserved through the course of evolution. This model represents the shared structural features of all GPCRs. With the extracellular N-terminus, the protein chain folds to form a bundle of seven transmembrane alpha helices connected by 3 intracellular and 3 extracellular loops with the C-terminus reaching inside the cell. |
 | Expanding Boundaries of Complexity with 3DEM Flyer 3D electron microscopy (3DEM) is revolutionizing the field of structural biology. |
 | ADN: El Acido Desoxirribonucleico (Spanish) Flyer Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information |
 | 2021 Calendar Celebrating 50 Years of Protein Data Bank Calendar 2021 Calendar |
 | Insulin and Dorothy Hodgkin Flyer |
 | How do Drugs Work? Flyer PDB structures are used to discuss antibiotics and antivirals, chemotherapy, drug metabolism, drugs of signaling proteins, and lifestyle drugs. |
 | G-Protein Coupled Receptors Flyer In honor of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. |
 | Computed Structure Models and PDB Experimental Structures Poster Poster Simultaneous delivery of PDB data and Computed Structure Models on RCSB.org provides access to 3D structural information from across the human proteome, model organisms, and selected pathogens |
 | Toll-like Receptors Flyer In honor of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. |
 | The Ribosome Flyer This flyer commemorates the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome. |
 | How Do Drugs Work? Poster PDB structures are used to discuss antibiotics and antivirals, chemotherapy, drug metabolism, drugs of signaling proteins, and lifestyle drugs. |
 | ATP synthase GIF ATP synthase |
 | Oxygen Binding in Hemoglobin GIF Hemoglobin uses a change in shape to increase the efficiency of oxygen transport. |
 | Ribosomal Subunits GIF Atomic structures of the ribosomal subunits reveal a central role for RNA in protein synthesis. Ribosomes are complex molecular machines that build proteins. |
 | Celebrating 50 Years of the Protein Data Bank Archive Video In 1971, the structural biology community established the single worldwide archive for macromolecular structure data–the Protein Data Bank (PDB). From its inception, the PDB has embraced a culture of open access, leading to its widespread use by the research community. PDB data are used by hundreds of data resources and millions of users exploring fundamental biology, energy, and biomedicine. This video looks at the history and the milestones that shaped the PDB into the leading resource for research and education it is today. |
 | Methods for Determining Structure Guide |
 | 3D Print: Hemoglobin Other Resource Download curated file of hemoglobin structure for 3D printing. |
 | Exploring Green Fluorescent Protein Tutorial Other Resource Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is a well-studied protein that exhibits fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet or blue light, making it a powerful tool in molecular biology and biotechnology. Learn how to explore GFP using tools from the RCSB PDB with this tutorial. |
 | Commemorating 75 Years of Discovery and Innovation at the NSF Other Resource Download images celebrating NSF and PDB milestones |
 | Molecular Backgrounds For Virtual Meetings Other Resources Download images created by David Goodsell to add a molecular backdrop to your next virtual meeting. Click on the image to expand. |
 | Structural Biology and Nobel Prizes Other Resource Many Nobel Prizes have recognized achievements made in molecular biology, structural biology, and related research. |
 | Hemoglobin Bean Bag Toss Other Resource |
 | Exploring Structural Biology with Computed Structure Models (CSMs) Article Computational methods like AlphaFold2 and RoseTTAFold2 use structures in the PDB archive to predict the folding of proteins. |
Geis Digital Archive (5)
 | Myoglobin Geis highlights the hundreds of chemical bonds in the lattice of myoglobin. |
 | Ribonuclease S Geis illustrates the structure of the ribonuclease S that highlights the dinucleotide RNA substrate in red and the four disulfide bonds in yellow. |
 | Hemoglobin Geis illustrates the hemoglobin molecule as four symmetrically arranged myoglobins. Since it is responsible to the transport of oxygen, it can change from an oxygen-binding configuration to an oxygen-releasing configuration in response to the demand for oxygen. |
 | B-DNA Geis illustrates B-DNA in blue looking from above, through the double helix. The two bases on top are highlighted in white to distinguish one individual section of the layered scene. |
 | DNA Geis illustrates a double helix in his depiction of DNA. He portrays the helices with a soft ribbon structure. The white "box-like" structures represent a base pair in the DNA strand. |
About PDB-101
Researchers around the globe make 3D structures freely available from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) archive. PDB-101 training materials help graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and researchers use PDB data and RCSB PDB tools. Outreach content demonstrate how PDB data impact fundamental biology, biomedicine, bioengineering/biotechnology, and energy sciences in 3D by a multidisciplinary user community. Education Materials provide lessons and activities for teaching and learning.
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RCSB PDB Core Operations are funded by theU.S. National Science Foundation (DBI-2321666), theUS Department of Energy (DE-SC0019749), and theNational Cancer Institute,National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, andNational Institute of General Medical Sciences of theNational Institutes of Health under grant R01GM157729.