Protein Data Bank

Protein Data Bank (PDB), a database that archives the 3D structural information of biomacromolecules determined by experimental methods, started in 1971 with seven entries in the United States. In the latter half of the 1990s, as the number of stored entries increased worldwide, Protein Data Bank Japan (PDBj) in Japan and Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe) were established to maintain and manage the PDB through international cooperation. The PDB is the only database that stores the 3D structure of biological macromolecules and is managed and maintained by international collaboration, in much the same way as the International Space Station. They are currently more than 200,000 entries, and more than new 250 entries are added each week. Around the world, more than 2 million items are downloaded from the PDB every day; this facilitates work across a wide range of fields such as education in high schools and universities, basic research in laboratories, and drug discovery research in pharmaceutical companies. Four global centers in Japan, the United States, and Europe have organized an association called the worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB), to process data deposition, manage, and maintain the PDB under our collaboration.

Protein Data Bank Japan

The Protein Data Bank Japan (PDBj) is an organization founded in 2000 at the Institute for Protein Research (IPR), Osaka University as an activity center for joint use and research. PDBj is a founding member of wwPDB and has been collecting, editing, and registering 3D structural information of proteins and nucleic acids for more than 20 years. We are now in charge of processing data from Asia and the Middle East. The registered data are exchanged in advance with the RCSB-PDB and BMRB in the US, and PDBe in the EU. All PDB data are released from Osaka University (https://pdbj.org/) to the world.

In addition to the task of international database management, PDBj is also engaged in various public relations activities, such as providing the Japanese translation of "Molecule of the Month", which includes articles on protein molecules; we also set up exhibits at events for general and high school students (e.g. Science Festa Osaka). With the Support Fund for Protein Data Bank Japan, we aim to enhance and improve public relations activities that are not covered by research funds from the national government and public organizations. We would be grateful for your support and understanding of the purpose of this project.

Please refer to the IPR website. We also provide information on Facebook and X (former Twitter).

Method to donate

Please access the web page linked from the "Donation to this project" button at the top-right of this page. Credit cards are available to donate.

Since the "Support Fund for Protein Data Bank Japan" is positioned as one of the projects of the Osaka University Future Fund, please specify "Support Fund for Protein Data Bank Japan" as the purpose of your donation to this project.