Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe) works with school art departments from around the world to create artworks inspired by the molecules of life.

The PDB is a free, worldwide database containing over 200,000 3D shapes of biological molecules important for scientific and medical research. These molecules are too small to see even with a normal microscope, and yet can form incredibly complex structures.

In this project, PDBe scientists help students explore the PDB database and different methods of depicting these molecules. The students, with support of their teachers, then use these 3D biological molecules as inspiration for the creation of artworks.

2023 Virtual PDB Art Exhibition

You can explore last year's virtual exhibition below, or by visiting the online gallery at Artsteps.

Virtual 2023 PDB Art Exhibition Opening

Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe) hosted online art exhibition to celebrate artwork created through the PDB Art project in 2023.

This virtual event, on Tuesday 19th September 2023 at 5:00pm BST, marked the official opening of the 2023 virtual exhibition.

It included an overview of the artworks created in this years' project, plus a talk from Dr. Brady Johnston, whose Blender add-on 'Molecular Nodes' has led to a revolution in development of compelling molecular visualisations and animations. We also announced awards for the best artworks in the project in 2023, voted for by the public.

View the exhibition opening below or on our PDBe YouTube channel.

Explore the aesthetic beauty of life at the smallest of scales

The video below gives an introduction to the PDB Art project, with insight from scientists, teachers and students that have taken part.

More PDB Art information and resources: