# Extending MolProbity Diagnosis & Healing Methods to Empower Better CryoEM & Xray Models at 2.5-4A Resolution, plus Versioned, Redeposited "GEMS" for Important Individual Structures

> **NIH NIH R35** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $241,500

## Abstract

Summary/Abstract for Supplement
MolProbity macromolecular model validation assigns overall quality scores, but most importantly, it reports
probable local errors with graphic flags that help structural biologists fix most of those errors. It is
considered state-of-the-art for model validation, has a large worldwide user base, is incorporated into most
model-building and refinement software systems, and is central to model validation at the Protein DataBank.
The component programs add and optimize hydrogen atoms to analyze and display all-atom contacts (H-
bonds, favorable van der Waals, and serious steric "clashes" of unfavorable overlaps ≥0.4Å). That
distinctive feature of MolProbity is augmented with updated versions of traditional validation measures such
as Ramachandran and rotamers, with RNA ribose pucker and backbone conformers, and most recently with
new criteria such as CaBLAM that are especially useful at the 2.5-4Å resolutions common for structures of
exciting "molecular machines" obtained by crystallography or cryoEM.
The programs in this effective and widely used toolset are diverse and rather loosely coupled, and some are
more than 20 years old. For quite a while they have been in great need of a deep rewrite and modernization
beyond what an academic research grant can support, in order to stay maintainable, extensible, and robust.
Our problem with the MolProbity code is the sort of dilemma that this new type of supplement is designed to
solve, in order to provide open scientific software that enables its users to take full advantage of the broad
capabilities now possible for secure and stable accessibility, interoperability, and re-use.We believe
MolProbity is worth this investment, first to the structural biology community and second to the biomedical
end-users of these structures.
I am very fortunate to have identified a professional contractor highly experienced in many challenging
computational improvements, rewrites, and interactive 3D graphics, that is somewhat familiar with
macromolecules and interested in taking on this project. The current plan is to unify our MolProbity code
base around Python with calls to well-optimized and hardened libraries in C++ or C, and to use the same
standard-format parsers, internal data hierarchy, in-memory communication, and open CCTBX toolbox
utilities used by the most recent of our programs which are integrated with the Phenix software system. The
rewrite will include more complete regression tests, develop a standardized build process, and explore a
variety of cloud hosting options for the web service.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10166392
- **Project number:** 3R35GM131883-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID Claude RICHARDSON
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $241,500
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10166392

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10166392, Extending MolProbity Diagnosis & Healing Methods to Empower Better CryoEM & Xray Models at 2.5-4A Resolution, plus Versioned, Redeposited "GEMS" for Important Individual Structures (3R35GM131883-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10166392. Licensed CC0.

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