Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Molecular Models

Molecular Models

Physical models representing molecular architectures of chemical compounds play essential roles in understanding chemistry. The use of molecular models makes it easier to visualize the structures and shapes of atoms and molecules.

Molecular Shapes

Molecular Shapes

Molecules have characteristic shapes that are crucial for their function. The arrangement of various electron groups around the central atom dictates their molecular geometry. Electron pairs in the valence shell of a central atom will adopt an arrangement that minimizes repulsions between the electron pairs by maximizing the distance between them. The valence electrons form either bonding pairs, located primarily between bonded atoms, or lone pairs.
Two regions of electron density in a diatomic...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Molecular mechanisms of the MLL4 complex in H3K4 methylation and p53-dependent transcription activation.

Molecular cell·2026

Same author

Traceless protein semisynthesis in cells using the promiscuous ultra-fast split intein NrdJ-1.

Chemical science·2026

Same author

Quinone reductase 2 <i>reads</i> H3 serotonylation to support neuronal maturation.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Traceless protein semi-synthesis in cells using the promiscuous ultra-fast split intein NrdJ-1.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

<i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> avoids <i>Todstoff</i> , a novel nociceptive necrotaxis cue.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

A SWI/SNF-specific Ig-like domain, SWIFT, is a transcription factor binding platform.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same journal

Lasing emission spectroscopy for bioanalytics and biomedicine.

Quarterly reviews of biophysics·2026

Same journal

Elementary processes and mechanisms of nanopore formation induced by antimicrobial peptides and other membrane-active peptides.

Quarterly reviews of biophysics·2026

Same journal

Biomineralization: Perspectives on control of crystal polymorphism, order-disorder and solvation states.

Quarterly reviews of biophysics·2026

Same journal

The pivotal roles of cellular biophysics and mechanobiology in the development of Human Organs-on-Chips.

Quarterly reviews of biophysics·2026

Same journal

Biophysics meets fungal biology: Characterising the fungal cell envelope and its interactions with drug-like molecules.

Quarterly reviews of biophysics·2026

Same journal

Energy landscapes in molecular biology: History, principles, and perspectives.

Quarterly reviews of biophysics·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Processes by Modeling Ligands in Cryo-EM Maps

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Processes by Modeling Ligands in Cryo-EM Maps

Published on: July 19, 2024

A molecular engineering toolbox for the structural biologist.

Galia T Debelouchina¹, Tom W Muir¹

¹Department of Chemistry,Princeton University,Princeton,NJ 08540,USA.

Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics

|December 14, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Modern molecular engineering tools enable precise protein manipulation for structural biology. These techniques, including chemical modifications and ligation strategies, advance studies of complex biological systems and disease mechanisms.

More Related Videos

Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware

Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware

Published on: December 25, 2021

Incorporating Target Protein Structure Flexibility and Dynamics in Computational Drug Discovery Using Ensemble-Based Docking Analysis

Incorporating Target Protein Structure Flexibility and Dynamics in Computational Drug Discovery Using Ensemble-Based Docking Analysis

Published on: June 20, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Processes by Modeling Ligands in Cryo-EM Maps

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Processes by Modeling Ligands in Cryo-EM Maps

Published on: July 19, 2024

Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware

Modeling an Enzyme Active Site using Molecular Visualization Freeware

Published on: December 25, 2021

Incorporating Target Protein Structure Flexibility and Dynamics in Computational Drug Discovery Using Ensemble-Based Docking Analysis

Incorporating Target Protein Structure Flexibility and Dynamics in Computational Drug Discovery Using Ensemble-Based Docking Analysis

Published on: June 20, 2025

Area of Science:

Structural biology
Protein engineering
Biochemistry

Background:

Advanced technologies enable unprecedented studies of biological macromolecules and assemblies.
Increased capabilities in structural biology necessitate sophisticated protein engineering methods for in vitro replication of molecular complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the modern molecular engineering toolbox for site-specific and chemically defined protein manipulation.
To highlight how these tools support methodology development in various structural biology techniques and interaction studies.

Main Methods:

Modification of cysteines and other natural amino acids.
Native chemical ligation.
Intein and sortase-based approaches.
Amber suppression.
Chemical and enzymatic bio-conjugation strategies.

Main Results:

Detailed overview of diverse protein engineering techniques.
Demonstration of applicability in X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryo-electron microscopy.
Exploration of utility in studying dynamic molecular interactions.

Conclusions:

The reviewed molecular engineering toolbox empowers researchers to tackle complex biological questions.
Encourages structural biologists and protein engineers to apply and expand these tools for understanding cellular processes and disease.