Visualizing Molecules
methods for exploring molecular structure
Molecular structures are complex, so scientists have developed a variety of powerful tools for visualizing and understanding them. Many different types of diagram are commonly used for the display of molecules, and each type reveals a different aspect of a molecule's structure and function.
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![]() | 2021 Calendar Celebrating 50 Years of Protein Data Bank Calendar 2021 Calendar |
![]() | 2020 Calendar: 20 Years of Molecule of the Month Calendar This calendar celebrates the RCSB PDB Molecule of the Month series that has introduced millions of visitors to the shape and function of the 3D structures archived in the PDB since its launch in January 2000. |
![]() | Molecular Machinery: A Tour of the Protein Data Bank Flyer The enormous range of molecular shapes and sizes in the PDB archive is illustrated using 96 structures, depicted relative to the cellular membrane. |
![]() | 2017 Calendar: Geis Digital Archive Calendar This calendar highlights the work of Irving Geis (1908-1997), a gifted artist who helped illuminate the field of structural biology with his iconic images of DNA, hemoglobin, and other important macromolecules. |
![]() | Award-winning Measles Virus Illustration Poster David Goodsell's painting, created for the Molecule of the Month feature on Measles Virus Proteins, was recognized by the 2019 FASEB BioArt Awards. |
![]() | Molecular Machinery: A Tour of the Protein Data Bank Poster The enormous range of molecular shapes and sizes in the PDB archive is illustrated using 96 structures, depicted relative to the cellular membrane. |
![]() | Visualizing PDB Structures with UCSF Chimera Video Use UCSF Chimera to create images and animations featuring PDB structures |
![]() | Exploring PDB structures in 3D with MolStar Video |
![]() | Molecular Animation Q&A Interview |
![]() | 2021 Molecular Mechanisms of Drugs for Mental Disorders Video |
![]() | Interactive Tour of PDB's Molecular Machinery Viewer This interactive view of molecular machinery in the PDB archive lets users select a structure, access a 3D view of the entry using the NGL Viewer, read a brief summary of the molecule’s biological role, and access the corresponding PDB entry and Molecule of the Month article. |
![]() | Coloring Molecular Machinery Coloring Book This is a molecular coloring book for all artists. |
![]() | Discovering Biology Through Crystallography Coloring Book Color the diverse 3D shapes studied by crystallographers. Created with support from the ACA. Available as a PDF and individual images. |
![]() | The Biologist Magazine Big Biochemical Colouring-in Series Coloring Book This series was created for The Biologist in 2022 to invite readers to get artistic while learning about some of the life sciences’ most important and interesting macromolecules. |
![]() | Exploring Carbohydrates in the PDB Archive Guide The RCSB provides many tools to explore the functional roles of carbohydrates. |
![]() | Molecular Graphics Programs Guide |
![]() | Small Molecule Ligands Guide |
![]() | Insulin Exercise Curriculum This exercise is a part of RCSB PDB Curricular Module Biomolecular Structures and Models and was developed as part of the RCSB Collaborative Curriculum Development Program 2015. |
![]() | 3D Print: Serum Albumin Other Resource Serum albumin model for 3D printing |
![]() | 3D Print: Alpha-amylase Other Resource Download curated file of Alpha-amylase for 3D printing. |
![]() | 3D Print: Ferritin Other Resource Download curated file of ferritin structure for 3D printing. |
![]() | 3D Print: Green Fluorescent Protein Other Resource Download curated file of green fluorescent protein (GFP) for 3D printing |
![]() | 3D Print: Hemoglobin Other Resource Download curated file of hemoglobin structure for 3D printing. |
![]() | PDB Structures and 3D Printing Guide Information how to create 3D printer files from PDB structures. |
![]() | Lesson Plans Other Resource |
Curriculum Resources (25)
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