SWISS-MODEL Workspace

SWISS-MODEL Workspace generates protein structure models by homology modelling to predict tertiary structures and macromolecular complexes for structural biology analyses.

Key Features:

• Automated homology modelling: Generates protein models from amino acid sequences by identifying and aligning to homologous sequences with known structures.
• Complex modelling (homo- and heteromeric): Models multi-chain assemblies and infers complex stoichiometry and overall complex structure from input sequences.
• ProMod3 modelling engine: Constructs atomic models using the ProMod3 engine to improve modelling accuracy and reliability.
• QMEANDisCo local quality estimation: Provides per-residue and local model quality estimates using the QMEANDisCo method to assess model reliability.

Scientific Applications:

• Protein structure prediction: Produces tertiary structure models for proteins lacking experimental structures.
• Protein–protein interaction modelling: Predicts structures of homo- and heteromeric complexes to investigate interaction interfaces and stoichiometry.
• Molecular mechanism and disease studies: Supports analysis of structural variants and mechanistic hypotheses relevant to biological processes and diseases.
• Structure-guided drug discovery: Supplies structural models to inform structure-based ligand design and target characterization.

Methodology:

Automated template-based homology modelling from amino acid sequences using homologous structures; model building with the ProMod3 engine; local model quality estimation with QMEANDisCo; modelling of homo- and heteromeric complexes with stoichiometry inference.