Understanding protein structure is essential for researchers in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and structural biology, as it underpins insights into function, interaction, and disease mechanisms. This two-day training is designed for early-career researchers, PhD students, and postdocs who are new to protein structure analysis. 
Participants will gain hands-on experience with key tools and databases, including ChimeraX, AlphaFoldDB, and MutateX. 

Learning outcomes

• Visualize protein structures and compare homologous proteins using ChimeraX to interpret structural similarities and differences.
• Search for structurally similar proteins using FoldSeek and evaluate the relevance of retrieved models.
• Set up and execute in silico site-directed mutagenesis experiments on the VSC HPC using tools like MutateX.
• Predict 3D protein structures using AlphaFold2 on the VSC HPC and analyze the quality of the resulting models.
• Apply AlphaPulldown to conduct protein-protein interaction screens and interpret the predicted complexes.
• Formulate a research question involving structural prediction and select appropriate tools (e.g., AlphaFold3, Boltz-1, Chai-1) to address it.

Register here >>

Organized by VIB Training and Conferences and ELIXIR Belgium