How to Use the Beta PDB Archive and Extended PDB IDs Today
Webinar hosted by RCSB PDB | March 26, 2026
The sky is not falling, but the Protein Data Bank is running out of 4-character IDs. In preparation, wwPDB recently launched the new Beta PDB Archive for testing.
The new directory structure is organized around extended PDB IDs and will replace the current PDB archive on July 21, 2027. The Beta PDB archive contains all current PDB data and is updated weekly.
Watch Dr. Ezra Peisach describe the future of PDB identifiers, the layout of the public archive, and the deprecation of legacy PDB-formatted files. Learn how you can start utilizing new resources today.
Course Objectives and Intended Audiences
After watching the video in this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the layout of the new PDB beta archive
- Learn how to use URLs to PDB data that will work now and in the future
This course is intended for:
- Software developers who access PDB data
- Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in structural biology
- Faculty members and professionals who utilize PDB data
Additional Resources
Course Videos
Click on the image below to play the video.
How to Use the PDB Beta Archive and Extended PDB IDs Today
Ezra Peisach, Ph.D.
Scientific Software Developer, PDBx mmCIF Dictionary Manager, RCSB PDB, Rutgers University
