Visualizing Structure and Hydrogen Bonding Patterns in Biomolecules Using Atomistic Magnetic Models

Biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids have complex, three-dimensional shapes that are central to their cellular function. In the classroom however, these intricate shapes are often depicted as simplified, two-dimensional drawings, and understanding the relationship between these drawings and the actual three-dimensional structures can be very challenging for students. In this study, we have constructed inexpensive and easy-to-build atomistic magnetic models that allow students to create and visualize biomolecular secondary structures, focusing specifically on hydrogen bonding patterns and dihedral angles in peptide chains. Overall, students found the hands-on models to be an engaging and useful complement to textbook depictions of biomolecules, and students reported significantly greater ability to visualize secondary protein structures and hydrogen bonding patterns.