Nobel Prizes and PDB Structures
award-winning research
Many Nobel Prize awards in physics, chemistry, and physiology/medicine have recognized scientific achievements associated with structural biology. The articles and resources below highlight PDB structures, biomolecular processes, and experimental techniques that have been recognized with the Prize.
Molecule of the Month Articles (18)
 | 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 |
 | DNA Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information |
 | G Proteins Trimeric 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 |
 | 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 |
 | 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 |
 | Tobacco Mosaic Virus A cylindrical arrangement of proteins protects a long strand of RNA in TMV |
Learning Resources (18)
 | DNA (PDF) PDF Atomic structures reveal how DNA encodes genomic information |
 | DNA (Spanish) PDF Atomic structures reveal how DNA encodes genomic information |
 | DNA (Video) Video Atomic structures reveal how DNA encodes genomic information |
 | Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) Activity Page A tiny fluorescent protein from jellyfish has revolutionized cell biology |
| Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) (PDF) PDF A tiny fluorescent protein from jellyfish has revolutionized cell biology |
 | Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) (Video) Video Learn how to build a paper model of GFP |
 | Structural Biology and Nobel Prizes Flyer Many Nobel Prizes have recognized achievements made in molecular biology, structural biology, and related research. |
 | ADN: El Acido Desoxirribonucleico (Spanish) Flyer Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information |
 | 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. |
 | How Do Drugs Work? (High res.) Poster PDB structures are used to discuss antibiotics and antivirals, chemotherapy, drug metabolism, drugs of signaling proteins, and lifestyle drugs. |
| How Do Drugs Work? (Low res.) Poster 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. |
 | 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. |
 | Ribosome: Large subunit GIF |
 | Ribosome: Small subunit GIF |
 | Methods for Determining Structure Guide |
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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
