Helen Berman Directs the Protein Data Bank and the RCSB PDB

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) archive is the single worldwide repository of information about the 3D structures of large biological molecules, including proteins and nucleic acids. These are the molecules of life that are found in all organisms including bacteria, yeast, plants, flies, other animals, and humans. Understanding the shape of a molecule helps to understand how it works. This knowledge can be used to help deduce a structure's role in human health and disease, and in drug development. The structures in the archive range from tiny proteins and bits of DNA to complex molecular machines like the ribosome.

In addition, the RCSB PDB supports a website where visitors can perform simple and complex queries on the data, analyze, and visualize the results. Details about the history, function, progress, and future goals of the RCSB PDB can be found in our Annual Reports and Newsletters.