Rcsb Protein Data Bank: Sustaining a Living Digital Data Resource that Enables Breakthroughs in Scientific Research and Biomedical Education

Abstract

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) was established in 1971 as the first open-access digital data resource in biology. Beginning with seven protein structures, the PDB has ballooned to more than 145,000 structures of proteins, DNA, and RNA managed by Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB). Today, the PDB is universally regarded as a core data science resource fundamentally important to the wider life-science community. PDB structures are the molecules of life. Knowledge of 3D structures of biomolecules, how they evolve, and how they function is essential for understanding critical areas of science. PDB data impacts basic and applied research on health and disease of humans, animals, and plants; production of food and energy; and other research pertaining to global sustainability. Structure data are also important to biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, accelerating discovery of new drugs, materials, and devices. RCSB PDB operates the US PDB data center of the wwPDB, and makes data available at no charge and without limitations to more than 1 million users around the globe. PDB data impact basic and applied research, clinical medicine, education, and the economy. During 2017, approximately 670 million structure data files were downloaded from the PDB archive. The RCSB.org website serves up PDB data integrated with some 40 external resources providing rich structural views of fundamental biology, biomedicine, and energy sciences. During 2017, more than 600,000 teachers and students accessed RCSB PDB outreach and education materials made freely available on PDB101.RCSB.org. Open access to PDB data contributes to patent applications, drug discovery and development, publication of scientific studies, innovations that can lead to new product development and company formation, and STEM education. RCSB PDB is funded by the NSF (DBI-1338415), NCI, NIGMS, and DOE.