Since 2014, PDB-101 has focused on different topics to help build a collection molecular stories around a particular theme. Past topics have included cancer, diabetes, and peak performance.
In 2026, PDB-101 will highlight the structural stories of Biotechnology: using biology in industry.
Many useful enzymes are robust enough to be purified and used in industrial processes. Since they act on biological molecules, these enzymes are widely used in food production. Atomic structures have revealed how these enzymes work, and how they can be improved for better function.
Visit the PDB-101 Biotechnology Browser for resources such as:
3D Print: Alpha-amylaseAlpha-amylase is a small enzyme found in saliva (produced by the salivary glands), and small intestine (produced in the pancreas). The enzyme starts the digestion of starches by cleaving the long carbohydrate chains into maltose and dextrin.
This printed model can be used to demonstrate how the substrate interacts with the enzyme’s active site.
