PyMOL as an Instructional Tool To Represent and Manipulate the Myoglobin/Hemoglobin Protein System

Abstract

A goal for biochemistry instructors is to support their students’ ability to critically analyze protein structure and its relationship to function. To do this, biochemistry instructors strategically select representative protein systems and expose students to methods to visualize and manipulate those systems. This paper describes how PyMOL is integrated into a module on the myoglobin/hemoglobin system to elaborate the relationship between protein structure and function. Lecture slides, notes, PyMOL session files, and student activities are provided, in addition to representative examples of student work.