The Protein Explorer: Interactive Web-Based Learning and Access to 3D Protein Structure

University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst MA

Investigators

Abstract

Biological Sciences (61) The Protein Explorer features discovery-based, interactive learning with built-in quizzing. There are three levels of presentation: basic, an introduction to the principles of protein structure; guided, an intermediary level offering a dozen built-in molecules; and advanced. Guided Protein Explorer leads the student through a series of fundamental questions, automatically rendering the molecule in the best manner for observing the answer to each question, while quizzing the student. It also enables students to use the same series of questions to explore any of the 10,000 macromolecules available from the Protein Data Bank To assist in interpreting the images of an unknown molecule, built-in molecules which illustrate major categories (e.g. soluble vs. lipid-seeking) are offered for comparison. As an advance over the existing software (RasMol and Chime) serving as a base for this product, no specialized technical knowledge of the software is required to use the basic or guided forms. Protein Explorer is freely downloadable from an educational macromolecular visualization website, www.rcsb.org, currently visited by 5,000-6,000 people per week.