Jake Parker created Inktober in 2009 as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year.
In 2023 Irina Bezsonova, Associate professor UCONN Health and part-time artist, took up the challenge with a focus on protein structures. Previously, in October 2021, Irina had also taken up the Inktober challenge, leading to the creation of a wonderful virtual exhibition of her artworks, put together by PDBe.
We are delighted to share Irina's 2023 Inktober artworks here to celebrate this work and provide inspiration to aspiring scientific artists!
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Day 1/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: DREAMHuman melatonin receptor MT2 (PDB entry 6me6) Melatonin promotes sleep and contributes to our vivid dreams View the Structure at PDBe |
Day 2/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: SPIDERSSpider dragline silk protein Spidroin 1 (PDB entry 7wio) Some dragline spider silk can be as strong or even stronger than steel. View the Structure at PDBe |
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Day 3/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: PATHA path of protein folding FF domain of pre-mRNA-processing factor 40 folds into its native conformation (PDB entry 1uzc) through a transient intermediate (PDB entry 2kzg) that can be captured by fancy NMR. View the structure at PDBe (1uzc)View the structure at PDBe (2kzg) |
Day 4/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: DODGESARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 (PDB entry 7jtl) dodges the immune system by rapidly evolving and interfering with immune responses. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 5/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: MAPA molecule of MAP kinase (PDB entry 4qtb) - an important enzyme at the crossroads of many cellular signaling pathways View the structure at PDBe |
Day 6/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: GOLDENA part of inner capsid particle + dsRNA of the Golden Shiner Reovirus (PDB entry 8FJK) View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 7/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: DRIPCoagulation Factor VIII (PDB entry 1iqd) prevents excessive bleeding by promoting blood clotting. Its deficiency causes hemophilia. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 8/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: TOADToad liver fatty acid binding protein (PDB entry 1p6p) View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 9/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: BOUNCETA fragment of Myosin (PDB entry 2n11). Myosins are best known for their role in muscle contraction and trafficking cargo in the cell. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 10/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: FORTUNEThis one is a bit personal. Synthetic insulin (PDB entry 1lph) that saves my life every day. As a #diabetic I’m fortunate to have it as so many diseases remain untreatable. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 11/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: WANDERYellow Fluorescent Protein (PDB entry 1yfp) lights up and lets us see how proteins wander through the cell. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 12/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: SPICYCapsaicin receptor TRPV1 (PDB entry 7LR0). This beautiful tetramer lets us feel the heat of spicy chili peppers and warns us of other potentially dangerous things. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 13/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: RISEActive site of yeast enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase that breaks pyruvate into acetaldehyde and CO2, which makes the yeast dough rise (PDB entry 1pvd). View the structure at PDBe |
Day 14/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: CASTLETertramerization domain of tumor suppressor protein p53 - “the guardian of the genome” (PDB entry 1sae). View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 15/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: DAGGERa spike of the Type 6 Secretion System (PDB entry 4jiv) does not just look like a dagger, it’s actually used to pierce cells! View the structure at PDBe |
Day 16/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: ANGELAZUL domain of ubiquitin ligase UBE3A (PDB entry 8ept) It’s deficiency causes Angelman syndrome - a genetic disorder that affects nervous system. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 17/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: DEMONMolecules of Keratin 1 and 10 (PDB entry 6ec0) Keratins make up hair, nails, horns and hooves in vertebrates View the structure at PDBe |
Day 18/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: SADDLETATA-binding protein (PDB entry 1qne) Doesn’t it look like a saddle? A transcription factor that straddles DNA and interacts with regulatory proteins. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 19/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: PLUMPBotulinum neurotoxin - the secret ingredient of Botox (PDB entry 2vu9). It’s used in beauty treatments but also to manage pain and movement disorders. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 20/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: FROSTBacterial ice-nucleation protein (PDB entry 6m9i) forms a lattice that structures water to induce ice formation Bacteria in the clouds use it to catch a ride back to Earth. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 21/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: CHAINSAntibody against Ebola virus (PDB entry 6n7u). Antibodies consist of light and heavy chains. They block viruses from entering the cell. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 22/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: SCRATCHYA molecule of major cat allergen Fel d1 (PDB entry 1puo). View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 23/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: CELESTIALEndonuclease Eco RI (PDB entry 1ckq). One of the proteins crystallized at the International Space Station. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 24/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: SHALLOWA pore-forming toxin (PDB entry 4tsy) from strawberry anemone (Actinia fragacea) that thrives in shallow waters. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 25/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: DANGERAdrenergic receptor beta-2 (PDB entry 6kr8). It binds to adrenaline and causes our “fight-or-flight” response to danger. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 26/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: REMOVEDe-ubiquitinating enzyme removing a #ubiquitin tag. My favorite is USP7 (PDB entry 1nbf) It’s actually shaped as a right hand. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 27/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: BEASTTelomerase TERT in action (PDB entry 6usp). Telomerase extends telomere sequences at chromosomal ends to protect genomic DNA. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 28/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: SPARKLECarbonic anhydrase (PDB entry 3uyq). It contributes to the sparkling feeling we get when drinking carbonated beverages. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 29/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: MASSIVETitin - the largest human protein (PDB entry 1tit). It’s 34,350 residues long and contains 244 domains. It’s key for muscle elasticity. View the structure at PDBe |
Day 30/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: RUSHCaffeine blocks adenosine A2A receptor (PDB entry 3rfm) and provides a little rush that helps us wake up. View the structure at PDBe |
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Day 31/31 of #inktober2023Prompt: FIREInflammasome (PDB entry 3jbl). View the structure at PDBe |
