# Happy 100th, structural biology

**Authors:** George N. Phillips, Eaton Edward Lattman

PMC · DOI: 10.1063/4.0000788 · 2025-11-18

## TL;DR

This paper celebrates the centennial of structural biology, highlighting its role in understanding molecular functions and advancing biotechnology.

## Contribution

The paper provides a historical overview and reflects on structural biology's impact over the past century.

## Key findings

- Structural biology began with James B. Sumner's discovery that enzymes are molecules with specific functions.
- It has evolved to play a key role in drug design and biotechnology advancements.

## Abstract

About 100 years ago, the field of structural biology was born, led by James B. Sumner who recognized that enzymes were molecules with specific functions. In its contemporary form structural biology is used to interpret and understand molecular and cellular function, to design drugs, and to advance biotechnology in general.

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** ALB (albumin) [NCBI Gene 213] {aka FDAHT, HSA, PRO0883, PRO0903, PRO1341}, MB (myoglobin) [NCBI Gene 4151] {aka MYOSB, PVALB}
- **Chemicals:** hydrogen (MESH:D006859), helium (MESH:D006371), jack bean globulin (-), penicillin (MESH:D010406), heme (MESH:D006418), amino acid (MESH:D000596), iron (MESH:D007501)

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12629662