Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A September 2003 PMID 12966187

The discovery of the alpha-helix and beta-sheet, the principal structural features of proteins.

David Eisenberg

Download social card

Mentions

11
Peak: 3 in Sep 2023
across 3 sources since Nov 2022

Extended reach

32,635
potential audience

Total likes

59

Video views

1,020

Mentions per month

Nov 2022 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter6 posts
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several posts celebrate the breakthrough in understanding protein structures, such as Branson's role in modeling alpha helices and beta sheets, while others discuss how the work laid the groundwork for modern structural biology. The tone ranges from admiration to educational sharing, with mention of related scientists and further reading, reflecting a high level of interest and perceived impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of the discovery, especially highlighting Herman Branson's contributions, indicating strong support for the article's significance.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high curiosity about the history and implications of the discovery, mentioning related scientists and the broader impact on molecular biology.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many comments reference specific historical details, connect the discovery to educational efforts, and share links, showing deep engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions emphasize the foundational role of the discovery in understanding protein structures, labeling it as a significant breakthrough in biophysics and biology.

Abstract in brief

  • The discovery by Linus Pauling, Robert Corey, and Herman Branson in 1951 identified the alpha helix and beta sheet as key structural features of proteins, understood through principles of small molecule properties and resonance theory.
  • Their models accurately predicted bond lengths and structures, laying the groundwork for understanding protein architecture, although they initially did not account for the helix's handedness or the existence of bent beta sheets.
  • Some proposed structures, like the gamma helix, were later found to be incorrect or not present in real proteins, but their work significantly advanced the field of structural biology.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Ismael Mingarro
@IsmaelMingarro · X

For #ProteinLovers: Just teaching about alpha-helices and beta-sheets to my students #BqCBemeUV it came to my mind a paper by #DavidEisenberg that nicely described how #PaulingEtAl arrived to the correct models. Here the link if you like historical issues https://t.co/XOHPFuBcC4

Sep 15, 2023 · 11 likes · 2,232 followers View post →
BlackPhysicists
@BlackPhysicists · X

@DrKanisha @FiskUGymnastics @UMichWGym @UmichPhysics @Fisk1866 @SantaJOno @HBCUSTEM @BlackinPhysics @aip_history @TnSTA @UMichECE @michiganastro @UMBAGoBlue @umichBentley @BrianUmberger @UMBiophys @UmichRC @umichmedicine I'll add, for @SantaJOno's benefit, that Willie Hobbs Moore and Herman Branson, @PhysicsUC PhD, both have pivotal roles in the history of #biophysics. https://t.co/RkFOkI1Shs https://t.co/zTh3ntBPk4 https://t.co/1V53jfdFxH

Jan 14, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 24,984 followers View post →
S̵̞͖͇͈͌̅̓̌͑͊̒̓̾́̚͜h̷̤̃̍̀́͒a̷͗͒̾͐͐d̴̈́̿̆̐̓́̎̕ow
@Brer_Cat · X

Dr. Herman Branson, American physicist and chemist, co-developed models on alpha helices in proteins, a breakthrough in molecular biology. He later turned his focus to education, using his scientific expertise to revolutionize academic programs at HBCUs. https://t.co/VTDhercDfv https://t.co/REaKknooJP

Dec 6, 2024 · 3 likes · 1 share · 1,213 followers View post →
Rob Townley
@RobTownley6 · X

@neurograce Maybe Pauling and crew discovering protein secondary structure. Paper by David Eisenberg https://t.co/Q2K7JD4Y1X https://t.co/Huf7a2NrQc

Nov 18, 2022 · 2 likes · 196 followers View post →
TN Science Teachers
@TnSTA · X

RT @BlackPhysicists: @DrKanisha @FiskUGymnastics @UMichWGym @UmichPhysics @Fisk1866 @SantaJOno @HBCUSTEM @BlackinPhysics @aip_history @TnST…

Jan 17, 2023 · 1 share · 1,739 followers View post →
S̵̞͖͇͈͌̅̓̌͑͊̒̓̾́̚͜h̷̤̃̍̀́͒a̷͗͒̾͐͐d̴̈́̿̆̐̓́̎̕ow
@Brer_Cat · X

RT @Brer_Cat: Dr. Herman Branson, American physicist and chemist, co-developed models on alpha helices in proteins, a breakthrough in molec…

Mar 20, 2025 · 1 share · 1,213 followers View post →

All mentions

S̵̞͖͇͈͌̅̓̌͑͊̒̓̾́̚͜h̷̤̃̍̀́͒a̷͗͒̾͐͐d̴̈́̿̆̐̓́̎̕ow
@Brer_Cat · X

RT @Brer_Cat: Dr. Herman Branson, American physicist and chemist, co-developed models on alpha helices in proteins, a breakthrough in molec…

Mar 20, 2025 · 1 share · 1,213 followers View post →
S̵̞͖͇͈͌̅̓̌͑͊̒̓̾́̚͜h̷̤̃̍̀́͒a̷͗͒̾͐͐d̴̈́̿̆̐̓́̎̕ow
@Brer_Cat · X

Dr. Herman Branson, American physicist and chemist, co-developed models on alpha helices in proteins, a breakthrough in molecular biology. He later turned his focus to education, using his scientific expertise to revolutionize academic programs at HBCUs. https://t.co/VTDhercDfv https://t.co/REaKknooJP

Dec 6, 2024 · 3 likes · 1 share · 1,213 followers View post →
Ismael Mingarro
@IsmaelMingarro · X

For #ProteinLovers: Just teaching about alpha-helices and beta-sheets to my students #BqCBemeUV it came to my mind a paper by #DavidEisenberg that nicely described how #PaulingEtAl arrived to the correct models. Here the link if you like historical issues https://t.co/XOHPFuBcC4

Sep 15, 2023 · 11 likes · 2,232 followers View post →
TN Science Teachers
@TnSTA · X

RT @BlackPhysicists: @DrKanisha @FiskUGymnastics @UMichWGym @UmichPhysics @Fisk1866 @SantaJOno @HBCUSTEM @BlackinPhysics @aip_history @TnST…

Jan 17, 2023 · 1 share · 1,739 followers View post →
BlackPhysicists
@BlackPhysicists · X

@DrKanisha @FiskUGymnastics @UMichWGym @UmichPhysics @Fisk1866 @SantaJOno @HBCUSTEM @BlackinPhysics @aip_history @TnSTA @UMichECE @michiganastro @UMBAGoBlue @umichBentley @BrianUmberger @UMBiophys @UmichRC @umichmedicine I'll add, for @SantaJOno's benefit, that Willie Hobbs Moore and Herman Branson, @PhysicsUC PhD, both have pivotal roles in the history of #biophysics. https://t.co/RkFOkI1Shs https://t.co/zTh3ntBPk4 https://t.co/1V53jfdFxH

Jan 14, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 24,984 followers View post →
Rob Townley
@RobTownley6 · X

@neurograce Maybe Pauling and crew discovering protein secondary structure. Paper by David Eisenberg https://t.co/Q2K7JD4Y1X https://t.co/Huf7a2NrQc

Nov 18, 2022 · 2 likes · 196 followers View post →
Proteini I DNK - Prezentacija | PDF
News

Crossref, doi:10.1073/pnas.2034522100. Hrvatska enciklopedija, mrežno izdanje. "beta-struktura proteina". Leksikografski zavod Miroslav Krleža, 2021.url ...

Dec 20, 2025 View →
Eisenberg 2003 the Discovery of the α Helix and β Sheet the ...
News

(Reproduced with permission from Linda Pauling Kamb.) 11208 兩 www.pnas.org兾cgi兾doi兾10.1073兾pnas.2034522100 Eisenberg. from Bragg and his team. Todd ...

Dec 20, 2025 View →
lpha helix structure | PDF | Alpha Helix | Amino Acid
News

doi:10.1073/pnas.2034522100 (https://doi.org/10.1073%2Fpnas.2034522100). PMC 208735 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC208735) ...

Nov 29, 2025 View →