Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
07:56
User-friendly, High-throughput, and Fully Automated Data Acquisition Software for Single-particle Cryo-electron Microscopy
Published on: July 29, 2021
3.8K
Covid-19.bioreproducibility.org: A web resource for SARS-CoV-2-related structural models
Dariusz Brzezinski1,2,3, Marcin Kowiel2, David R Cooper1
1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Protein Science : a Publication of the Protein Society
|September 27, 2020
Summary
A new online resource provides expert-verified structural models of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. This helps researchers easily access and understand crucial data for developing COVID-19 treatments.
Area of Science:
- Structural Biology
- Virology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic spurred extensive research into SARS-CoV-2, including determining numerous protein and nucleic acid structures.
- A growing number of experimental X-ray, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structures are available.
- Biomedical researchers may lack specialized structural biology expertise, creating a need for accessible information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a curated online resource for SARS-CoV-2-related macromolecular structures.
- To aid researchers in navigating and understanding the vast amount of available structural data.
- To provide expert-verified information on the reliability and characteristics of these structures.
Main Methods:
- Development of the covid19.bioreproducibility.org web resource.
- Aggregation of expert-verified information on SARS-CoV-2 macromolecular models.
- Implementation of tools and methodologies for assessing the quality and features of structural models.
Main Results:
- The creation of a centralized, searchable database of SARS-CoV-2 structures.
- Provision of expert assessments to enhance the usability of structural data.
- Facilitation of easier access to reliable structural information for a wider research community.
Conclusions:
- The developed web resource serves as a valuable tool for biomedical researchers studying SARS-CoV-2.
- Improved access to verified structural data can accelerate the understanding of the virus and the development of therapeutics.
- Standardized assessment methodologies contribute to the reproducibility of structural biology research.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Protein Organization
8.6K
Proteins are polymers of amino acid residues. They are versatile and responsible for different cellular functions, including DNA replication, molecular transport, catalysis, and structural support. Proteins have a hierarchical structure comprising at least three levels of organization: primary, secondary, and tertiary structure. Some large proteins have a quaternary structure where individual protein subunits are linked together.
The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence....
The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence....
8.6K
02:21Globular and Fibrous Proteins
46.4K
Many proteins can be classified into two distinct subtypes - globular or fibrous. These two types differ in their shapes and solubilities.
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
46.4K
02:47Protein Families
16.4K
Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism. Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members. If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key...
16.4K
01:57Gene Families
9.6K
Gene families consist of groups of genes proposed to have originated from a common ancestor. Typically these arise through events in which a gene or genes are mistakenly duplicated during cell division. Unlike their parent genes (which are subject to selection pressure to maintain function), these gene copies do not need to preserve their sequences and may evolve at a relatively faster rate.
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
9.6K
02:00Molecular Models
43.0K
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.
43.0K
02:15Protein and Protein Structures
17.0K
17.0K