Outreach and Education

GPCRs are a large family of membrane-embedded receptors, with structural features that have been preserved through the course of evolution. This model represents the shared structural features of all GPCRs. With the extracellular N-terminus, the protein chain folds to form a bundle of seven transmembrane alpha helices connected by 3 intracellular and 3 extracellular loops with the C-terminus reaching inside the cell.

To build the GPCR paper model, download and print the template PDF. An instructional video is available. Use the PDB-101 Browser to explore more resources and articles related to Drugs and the Brain.

Galyna Khramova (University of Florida) spent most of her summer at Rutgers thinking about Controlling the activity profile of a multifunctional enzyme: site-directed mutagenesis of mouse DXO in a project split between RCSB PDB and the Kiledjian Lab in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Her time spent with the RCSB PDB team also led to a collaboration with David Goodsell on October 2019 Molecule of the Month.

The series presents short accounts on selected molecules from the Protein Data Bank. Each installment includes an introduction to the structure and function of the molecule, a discussion of the relevance of the molecule to human health and welfare, and suggestions for how visitors might view these structures and access further details.

In addition to this column, Galyna also created JSMol views for Molecule of the Month features on amylase, pepsin, and potassium channels.

Galyna was part of the Rutgers University RISE (Research in Science and Engineering) program. RISE at Rutgers is a nationally acclaimed summer research program for outstanding undergraduates from diverse backgrounds. Scholars participate in 10 weeks of cutting-edge research in the biological, physical, and social/ behavioral sciences, math, engineering, and exciting interdisciplinary areas under the guidance of carefully matched faculty mentors. A comprehensive professional development component complements the research.

Interested in interning with the RCSB PDB? Apply on the RISE website. The program particularly encourages applications from students from underrepresented, disadvantaged, non-traditional or first-generation college backgrounds or who attend schools with limited research opportunities.

• How Structural Biologists and the Protein Data Bank Contributed to Recent FDA New Drug Approvals
   (2019) Structure 27: 211-217 doi:10.1016/j.str.2018.11.007
  
• Illustrate: Software for Biomolecular Illustration
   (2019) Structure 27: 1617-1623-1720 doi:10.1016/j.str.2019.08.011
  
• Symmetry at the Cellular Mesoscale
   (2019) Symmetry 11: 1170 doi:10.3390/sym11091170
• Virtual Exploration of Biomolecular Structure and Function
  (2019) in Biochemistry Education: From Theory to Practice T.J. Bussey, K. Linenberger Cortes, R.C. Austin (eds.) pp. 21-41 American Chemical Society doi: 10.1021/bk-2019-1337.ch002