alphafold-database

Retrieve AlphaFold DB protein structures and confidence metrics by UniProt accession.

783|65|Updated Feb 27, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/LeonChaoX/qinyan-academic-skills --skill alphafold-database-leonchaox
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: alphafold-database
Source: https://github.com/LeonChaoX/qinyan-academic-skills/tree/main/skills/08-%E8%9B%8B%E7%99%BD%E8%B4%A8%E5%B7%A5%E7%A8%8B%E4%B8%8E%E7%BB%93%E6%9E%84%E7%94%9F%E7%89%A9%E5%AD%A6/alphafold-database
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/LeonChaoX/qinyan-academic-skills --skill alphafold-database-leonchaox

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

It solves the problem of quickly locating, downloading, and assessing AI-predicted 3D protein structures when no experimental structures are available.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Protein structure retrieval by identifier: Query AlphaFold DB predictions using UniProt accession or protein name.
  • Download analysis-ready files: Obtain mmCIF/PDB coordinates plus confidence and error artifacts (pLDDT and PAE) for reliable downstream analysis.
  • Confidence-aware interpretation: Use pLDDT and PAE to judge which regions/domains are suitable for structural biology, protein engineering, or drug discovery workflows.
  • Bulk dataset access: Use Google Cloud/BigQuery patterns for large-scale proteome retrieval and metadata querying.

Quick Start

Use the alphafold-database skill to download the AlphaFold v4 mmCIF model and its confidence metrics for UniProt ID P00520 so you can start structural analysis immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions about alphafold-database

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I download AlphaFold protein structures using a UniProt accession?▼

To download AlphaFold protein structures, query the database by UniProt accession to retrieve analysis-ready mmCIF or PDB coordinate files along with confidence metrics for downstream structural analysis.

What do pLDDT and PAE metrics tell you about AI-predicted protein structures?▼

pLDDT and PAE metrics evaluate confidence in AI-predicted protein structures. pLDDT scores per-residue accuracy for local domains, while PAE estimates positional error to judge suitability for protein engineering and drug discovery workflows.

Can I retrieve AlphaFold DB predictions in bulk for large-scale proteome analysis?▼

Yes, you can retrieve AlphaFold DB predictions in bulk for large-scale proteome analysis by integrating Google Cloud and BigQuery patterns to query metadata and download datasets efficiently.

Does the AlphaFold database API return confidence and error artifacts with coordinate files?▼

Yes, the AlphaFold database API returns confidence and error artifacts alongside mmCIF and PDB coordinate files. These include JSON-formatted pLDDT and PAE metrics required for reliable structural evaluation when experimental structures are unavailable.

When should I use AI-predicted protein structures instead of experimental ones?▼

Use AI-predicted protein structures when experimental structures are unavailable for your target protein. Confidence-aware evaluation using pLDDT and PAE helps determine which predicted regions are reliable for structural biology workflows.

What is the best way to handle mmCIF files downloaded from AlphaFold DB?▼

The best way to handle mmCIF files from AlphaFold DB is using Biopython-based interfaces or REST API access. This ensures correct parsing of coordinate files and integration with JSON confidence assets for downstream analysis.