one of the Molstruc macromolecules
Imagine if you could twirl a molecule round on your finger, enlarging and shrinking it as you wished, and hiding and showing the different parts. Molstruc is a computer-based learning package for science undergraudates which allows them to do just that, manipulating three-dimensional models of key biological macromolecules. “Computer-based visualisation is the only effective way to learn about the three-dimensional strucutres of macromolecules,” says Professor Keith Johnston, of the Department of Plant Sciences, the man with the idea behind Molstruc. Designed for undergraduates taking the NST IA Biology of Cells course, Molstruc contains a series of levels of incresasing complexity. Students begin with an introduction to structure manipulation tools, followed by an illustration of the key elements of protein structure, which forms the basis for in-depth problem solving. A key part of Molstruc’s success is its tight integration with the Biology of Cells course: structures which have previously been introduced in the lecture course and studied in the practical courses can now be manipulated and analysed in detail through Molstruc. Molstruc has now been integrated into CamTools, so that students can access it from the same place that they pick up their lecture handouts and articles.
Molstruc is designed to be sufficiently generic that it can be used in other Triposes, including parts of the Medical and Veterinary Science Tripos and the Engineering Tripos. People interested in using it in their courses should contact the CamTools helpdesk.
