Division C (high school)

Student Resources - About the Protein Modeling Event

The 2026-2027 event theme is Influenza Viruses.

Influenza is a persistent human health threat, causing 250,000 - 500,000 deaths annually. The hemagglutinin protein on the surface of the influenza virus plays an important role in the virus infection cycle.

This website will provide all of the information needed to successfully compete in the Division C Protein Modeling Event.

Prebuild Protein Model – 40% of total score 

Before the event, teams will build a protein model to be impounded for judging the morning of the competition. The 2026-2027 prebuild model should represent residues 153-252 of chain A of the protein structure file 3UBE.pdb. 

Onsite Written Exam – 60% of total score

On the day of the event, teams will complete a multiple-choice and short-answer written exam. The exam will include questions related to general protein structure and this year’s protein theme.  Teams will explore a new protein structure using the JUDE interface of the molecular visualization program Jmol and answer multiple choice questions related to the new protein structure.

Students are required to bring a device with internet capability (laptop, Chromebook, tablet, or phone) to the event. The Event Supervisor will either provide Wi-Fi credentials to allow students to use their own devices on the local network or arrange for a computer lab with internet access and login information for each team in each event session.