pdb

Fetch and analyze protein structures from RCSB PDB files.

11|Updated Mar 4, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/junior1p/ProteinClaw --skill pdb-junior1p
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: pdb
Source: https://github.com/junior1p/ProteinClaw/tree/main/skills/pdb
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/junior1p/ProteinClaw --skill pdb-junior1p

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Rapidly retrieve and prepare experimentally determined protein structures for downstream design and analysis workflows, removing the manual steps of downloading, trimming, and extracting chain-specific data.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Direct downloads: Retrieve PDB and mmCIF files and FASTA sequences from RCSB endpoints.
  • Search and discovery: Query the RCSB search API to find similar structures by text queries.
  • Structure preparation: Extract individual chains or domains, remove waters/ligands, and identify interface residues for binder design.
  • Integration: Produce cleaned structures ready for use with boltzgen, bindcraft, or other design skills.

Quick Start

Use the pdb skill to download PDB ID 1ALU, extract chain A, remove waters and ligands, and return a cleaned mmCIF file ready for design.

Frequently Asked Questions about pdb

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I download and extract a specific chain from a PDB file?

To extract a specific chain from a PDB file, you can fetch the structure by its ID and isolate the target chain. This process removes unwanted waters and ligands, producing a cleaned mmCIF file ready for analysis.

How do I prepare a protein structure for binder design workflows?

Preparing a protein structure for binder design involves fetching the target from RCSB, trimming unwanted components like waters, and identifying interface residues. This yields a cleaned structure directly usable by downstream design tools.

Can I query the RCSB search API to find similar protein structures?

Yes, you can query the RCSB search API to find similar protein structures. By running text queries against the database, you can discover and retrieve relevant experimental structures for your analysis.

What is the best way to retrieve mmCIF files and FASTA sequences from RCSB endpoints?

The best way to retrieve mmCIF files and FASTA sequences is to use direct HTTP access to RCSB file endpoints. This allows automated downloads of experimentally determined protein structures and their corresponding metadata.

Does this approach work for identifying interface residues in protein structures?

Yes, this approach works for identifying interface residues in protein structures. It performs simple structure trimming and interface residue detection, enabling you to isolate the specific interaction surfaces needed for analysis.

Why do I need to remove waters and ligands before running downstream design tools?

You need to remove waters and ligands to prepare clean target structures for downstream design tools. This structure preparation step ensures that only the relevant protein chain and domains are processed during analysis.