RCSB Protein Data Bank: powerful new tools for exploring 3D structures of biological macromolecules for basic and applied research and education in fundamental biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering and energy sciences

TLDR

The RCSB Protein Data Bank, a US data center for the global PDB archive, freely provides 3D macromolecular structure data to millions worldwide, serving tens of thousands of depositors who use crystallography, NMR, cryo‑EM, and micro‑ED, and supporting researchers, educators, and students in biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering, and energy sciences. The portal’s redesign introduces new features and resources, illustrated with recent SARS‑CoV‑2 and host protein structures that aid COVID‑19 research. The redesign has improved search capabilities with full Boolean logic and streamlined access to PDB data integrated with over 40 external biodata resources.

Abstract

Abstract The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB), the US data center for the global PDB archive and a founding member of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank partnership, serves tens of thousands of data depositors in the Americas and Oceania and makes 3D macromolecular structure data available at no charge and without restrictions to millions of RCSB.org users around the world, including >660 000 educators, students and members of the curious public using PDB101.RCSB.org. PDB data depositors include structural biologists using macromolecular crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, 3D electron microscopy and micro-electron diffraction. PDB data consumers accessing our web portals include researchers, educators and students studying fundamental biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering and energy sciences. During the past 2 years, the research-focused RCSB PDB web portal (RCSB.org) has undergone a complete redesign, enabling improved searching with full Boolean operator logic and more facile access to PDB data integrated with >40 external biodata resources. New features and resources are described in detail using examples that showcase recently released structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and host cell proteins relevant to understanding and addressing the COVID-19 global pandemic.