Insights from 20 years of the Molecule of the Month

Abstract

For 20 years, Molecule of the Month articles have highlighted the functional stories of 3D structures found in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The PDB is the primary archive of atomic structures of biological molecules, currently providing open access to more than 150,000 structures studied by researchers around the world. The wealth of knowledge embodied in this resource is remarkable, with structures that allow exploration of nearly any biomolecular topic, including the basic science of genetic mechanisms, mechanisms of photosynthesis and bioenergetics, and central biomedical topics like cancer therapy and the fight against infectious disease. The central motivation behind the Molecule of the Month is to provide a user-friendly introduction to this rich body of data, charting a path for users to get started with finding and exploring the many available structures. The Molecule of the Month and related materials are updated regularly at the education portal PDB-101 (http://pdb101.rcsb.org/), offering an ongoing resource for molecular biology educators and students around the world.

Keywords: Protein Data Bank; biochemistry; protein structure and function; structural biology.

FIGURE 1

Recent Molecule of the Month articles, with topics selected with different goals. Measles is a topical subject in the news; PhaC and biodegradable plastic relates to the environment; fluorescent RNA aptamers were a reader's choice topic; the rotary ATPases highlighted new cryoEM results and have a central function in energy production; C60‐organizing peptide is an exciting success of nanotechnology; engineered tryptophan synthase relates to the 2018 Nobel Prize in chemistry and is an application of biotechnology; and AMPA receptors were featured to support the upcoming PDB‐101 yearly theme on “Drugs and the Brain.” A full listing of all entries is available at http://pdb101.rcsb.org/motm/motm‐by‐title [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]

FIGURE 2

Monthly page downloads in 2018 of the five articles with highest traffic, showing increased activity in months where most classrooms are in session [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]

FIGURE 3

A few uses of the Molecule of the Month. Top: Molecule of the Month images and text used as a resource for the Science Olympiad. Bottom left: painting of bacteriophage phiX174, used as the cover of a book of biomolecular paintings by students at High Tech High. ¹ Bottom right: Molecule of the Month images featured in a public display space used for science/art outreach [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]