New Features
Guide to Understanding PDB Data: Intro to APIs
06/13 
RCSB PDB APIs build on the data available in the PDB archive and additional internal and external annotations. They power the RCSB.org website. Because they are publicly available, they can be also used without restrictions by external resources.The constantly-growing PDB is a reflection of the research that is happening in laboratories across the world and the evolving technologies that can be used to harness the power of these data.
PDB-101's Guide to Understanding PDB Data was created to help users navigate through the contents of the archive without having a detailed background in structural biology or computer science.
Guide topics cover biological assemblies, molecular graphics programs, R-value and R-free, and more. Articles are released to help explain new features as they are added to RCSB.org, such as the inclusion of of Computed Structure Models at RCSB.org
A new chapter provides an Introduction to RCSB PDB APIs. RCSB PDB APIs build on the data available in the PDB archive and additional internal and external annotations. They power the RCSB.org website. Because they are publicly available, they can be also used without restrictions by users and external resources.
Topics in this article include:
- Why APIs?
- Accessing Data API through REST services and GraphiQL
- Website Access to the API
More detailed user guide documentation is available with links to specific API tutorials and references for more advanced users and developers. Stay up-to-date with API developments by viewing (or subscribing) to the RCSB PDB API announcements Google group.
