Molecular Structures

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Molecular Structures

Understanding the shapes of biological molecules to learn more about how they function and interact—that's structural biology. Studies in structural biology focus on questions like:

Why does a protein's shape matter?
How can misshapen molecules make us sick?
How can we visualize the structural details of large and complex molecules?

Follow the links below to learn more about structural biology, including recent developments, and read profiles of researchers working in this field.

Booklets

The Structures of Life
Reveals how structural biology provides insight into health and disease and is useful in developing new medications.
Computing Life
Shows how combining chemistry and computers helps scientists understand and predict how proteins fold and interact and could lead to new medicines for protein-related disorders.

Other resources

Fact Sheets

Structural Biology
Structural biology is a field of science focused on understanding the shapes of biological molecules. Learn about why and how scientists study these structures.

All fact sheets

Biomedical Beat Blog

Festive Flu Virus Structure
A playful image from Rommie Amaro and colleagues uses a festive approach to the serious science of understanding and finding ways to combat the flu virus.
Interview With a Scientist – Rommie Amaro: Computational and Theoretical Model Builder
In a video interview, Rommie Amaro discusses how computer modeling is shedding light on how proteins move and change shape—and might reveal a new way to treat many types of cancer.
Interview with a Scientist: Michael Summers, Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to Study HIV
In a video interview, biochemist Michael Summers discusses his use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology to study the replication of HIV.
Interview with a Scientist: Wes Sundquist, How the Host Immune System Fights HIV
In a video interview, biochemist Wes Sundquist discusses how the HIV virus uses molecular pathways in host cells to replicate itself and spread infection to nearby cells.

Profiles: Meet a Scientist

HIV on the Brain
Graduate student George Hightower researches genetic mutations that affect HIV's ability to infect the brain.
The Family Business
Computational biologist David Baker custom designs computer software to predict the three-dimensional shapes of proteins.
Viral Voyages
Structural biologist Mavis Agbandje-McKenna studies how viruses infect cells.