Structural molecular biology is the study of the structure of biological macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids and the use of this structural information to give insight into their functioning in biological systems. In recent years the notion of structural biology has extended beyond atomic resolution information of individual proteins to encompass biological structures and dynamics at different levels of resolution notably macromolecular complexes both in vitro and in their cellular context. The broad hierarchy of structures in biological systems necessitates combining a wide range of high and low resolution structural techniques. These include X-ray and neutron crystallography, NMR, electron microscopy and tomography, small angle X-ray and neutron scattering, mass spectroscopy and advanced light microscopy techniques. In addition, a wide range of sample production and physico-chemical-biochemical characterization techniques are required. An integrated structural biology environment provides most of these techniques on one site. However equally important in the notion of integrated structural biology is that structural biology should be an integral part of molecular, cellular and systems biology and focus on contributing to a holistic understanding of important biological problems.
The PSB encompasses a unique palette of structural biology techniques in a highly international and visitor orientated setting, a great environment for great science.
