Combining information science with biology
Protein Data Bank improves services for researchers
Archived article from Sep 24, 1999
By Joseph Blumberg
Rutgers has become the lead institution managing the Protein Data Bank (PDB), an international, computer-based, three-dimensional atlas of biological macromolecules. On July 1, a full three months ahead of schedule, the PDB formally shifted from Brookhaven National Laboratory to the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB).
The RCSB is directed by Helen Berman, a professor of chemistry at Rutgers and principal investigator for the Protein Data Bank project. The collaboratory brings together experts in fields ranging from high-performance computing to structural biology. In addition to Rutgers, it includes a team at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, a research unit of the University of California-San Diego, and researchers at the Biotechnology Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The Protein Data Bank is constantly growing by the addition of new protein structures deposited by researchers from around the world. After the new data is processed, integrated and archived, it is made available worldwide via the Internet, providing an essential resource for genetic research, for drug design and for understanding the causes, effects and treatment of disease. Medical researchers envision gaining new insights into human disorders by unlocking the disease-fighting potential of biological macromolecules.
Since the data bank's transition to the collaboratory began in late January, substantial improvements in service have taken place. Data deposited by users is being turned around in record time, and new tools now provide a broader range of search and reporting options. The success of these developments accelerated the transition timetable.
"Our vision is for the Protein Data Bank to enable scientists worldwide to gain a greater understanding of structure-function relationships in biological systems," said Berman. "We have been able to make strides in this direction because of the unique environment the research collaboratory offers in terms of personnel, hardware, software and network infrastructure."
The Protein Data Bank is supported by funds from the National Science Foundation, the Office of Biology and Environmental Research at the Department of Energy, and two units of the National Institutes of Health: the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Library of Medicine.
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