This hands-on computer workshop will enable novices to find
published structures for molecules of interest, visualize
their three-dimensional structures, and understand the
resulting computer images. No previous experience with
molecular visualization or modeling is required. QuickViews
menus make it easy to highlight features such as backbone
traces, disulfide bonds, secondary structure, ligands, and
distribution of hydrophobic residues. Context-sensitive help
is displayed automatically with each operation. Noncovalent
bonds between ligands and receptors, between protein and
DNA, etc. can be located easily. The amino acid sequence can
be displayed and clicking on residues highlights their
positions in the 3D structure. Solvent-accessible surfaces
can be displayed. The software is free and works on Windows
and Macintoshes. Those familiar with RasMol will find
Protein Explorer familiar, yet easier and more powerful.
Protein structure scientists familiar with other
visualization software may wish to try out these advanced
features, many of which can be done in "one click":
Visualizing noncovalent bonds between any two moieties by
either of two methods (one by one, or in a contact surface
overview); Finding energetically significant cation-pi
interactions; Animating functional conformational changes or
movements, such as the binding of calcium to an EF-hand;
Coloring a 3D protein according to conservation/mutation in
a multiple protein sequence alignment (if you already have a
multiple protein sequence alignment, bring it in FASTA/PIR
format); Methods for presenting results from your protein
structure research on the web in Protein Explorer.