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 (24)
 | 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 |
 | Circadian Clock Proteins Circadian clock proteins measure time in our cells |
 | 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 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 |
 | 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 |
 | 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 (17)
 | DNA Paper Model Atomic structures reveal how the iconic double helix encodes genomic information |
 | Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) 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. |
 | Structural Biology and Nobel Prizes Other Resource Many Nobel Prizes have recognized achievements made in molecular biology, structural biology, and related research. |
 | 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 |
 | Hemoglobin Bean Bag Toss Other Resource |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | Methods for Determining Structure Guide |
 | 3D Print: Hemoglobin Other Resource Download curated file of hemoglobin structure for 3D printing. |
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. |
