News
Tools for Education
09/06
Click on the blackboard logo from the top of any page to enter PDB-101.
PDB-101 packages together resources that promote exploration in the world of proteins and nucleic acids for teachers, students, and the general public. Major topics include:
- Structural View of Biology. Built around the Molecule of the Month series, this feature promotes a top-down exploration of the PDB. Starting with high-level functional categories, readers can browse through descriptive subcategories to access relevant articles that describe molecules in simple terms and access the related PDB entries. Mouseovers, pulldown menus, and carousels all offer easy navigational tools to promote learning.
- Molecule of the Month. Since 2000, the RCSB PDB has published articles that describe the structure and function of a molecule along with interactive views, discussion topics, and links to structure examples. The collection of these articles provides a annotated view of the PDB archive. Molecules of the Month columns appear on single pages, with links to printable PDF versions and downloadable high resolution images. They can be accessed using the pulldown menu in the top bar, through the Structural View of Biology interface, and by archives organized by title, date, and category.
- Related Educational Resources and materials, including posters, animations, and classroom lessons and activities. Recently, a poster (PDF) and animation of the structure of the HIV virus was added.
- Understanding PDB Data, a reference to help explore and interpret individual PDB entries. Broad topics include how to understand PDB data, how to visualize structures, how to read coordinate files, and potential challenges to exploring the archive.
To enter PDB-101, click on the blackboard PDB-101 logo or its related widget in the left-hand menu reveals an education-centered website. This view offers easy navigation: select any Molecule of the Month article from the top bar menu or mouse over the upper-left PDB-101 pulldown menu to jump to other sections. Select the blue RCSB PDB logo from the top of the page at any time to access RCSB PDB deposition and query services from the main website.
Related materials for learning about the RCSB PDB website include a suite of tools (narrated tutorial, slides, and exercises) from openhelix.com; short online screencasts that demonstrate how to use different RCSB PDB tools; and contextual help and examples available where a appears.
