Troublemakers of IIUM: PDB and RasMol

Another KOS1101 lesson for today...

We present to you...

PDB & Rasmol!!!

I know your expression will be like this:

"What the...?" reaction... wait, why Snape?

I know, you'll be asking us: "What does PDB stands for?", "Is RasMol a new Andriod device?" etc.

Now, let us explain to you, so that you know, and we know better. Heh.

PDB is known as Protein Data Bank.

"The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is a repository for the 3-D structural data of large biological molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. (See also crystallographic database). The data, typically obtained by X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy and submitted by biologists and biochemists from around the world, are freely accessible on the Internet via the websites of its member organisations (PDBe, PDBj, and RCSB). The PDB is overseen by an organization called the Worldwide Protein Data Bank, wwPDB."
(source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

At PDB website, you can browse all pictures of different kinds of biological macromolecular structures. it worth enjoying it if you're a biological students.

Then, what about RasMol?

"RasMol is a molecular graphics program intended for the visualisation of proteins, nucleic acids and small molecules. The program is aimed at display, teaching and generation of publication quality images. RasMol runs on wide range of architectures and operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh, UNIX and VMS systems. UNIX and VMS versions require an 8, 24 or 32 bit colour X Windows display (X11R4 or later). The X Windows version of RasMol provides optional support for a hardware dials box and accelerated shared memory communication (via the XInput and MIT-SHM extensions) if available on the current X Server."
(Source: RasMol website)

In short, if you want to see the 3D-view of a molecular structure from PDB, you'll need this software.

And you'll also can view the same molecular structure in different displays and colours, depend on which one you prefer.