There are many molecular graphics programs available that allow you to view protein structures interactively, rotating and zooming as required, colouring amino acids, and rendering the structure in different ways. Many of these programs also allow you to make measurements, such as distances, angles and torsion angles, while some also allow you to modify the structure.
PyMol is a popular program which is free for educational use. It runs on Windows, Mac and Linux.
You can download and install PyMol from https://pymol.org/2/
If you are running Windows 10S, you will need to disable 'secure mode', but note that you cannot go back to secure mode afterwards. See the instructions at: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/switching-out-of-s-mode-in-windows-10-4f56d9be-99ec-6983-119f-031bfb28a307
You can download and install PyMol from https://pymol.org/2/
You can download and install PyMol from https://pymol.org/2/
You may also be able to install it from your package manager.
If you are unable to install PyMol locally, you will be able to use it using the UCL Desktop Anywhere, but it may be slow.
Type 'pymol' in the search box. If different versions are available, do not select the full screen version.
Launch PyMol from the launch pad in the usual way.
Type 'pymol' at a command prompt, or find it in the menu structure (under 'Education').
When you start PyMol, depending on the version, either one or two windows will open. If you have two windows there will be the main graphical display window, and a second control window. Do not expand the graphical window to full screen size as you won't be able to see the control window!
When instructed to view a PDB file you will need to download it first to ensure you are using the corect software to view it - simply clicking on it may start some other viewing program instead. You will have to download and save the PDB file by right clicking the link and choose 'Save Target As...' (or 'Save Link As...') from the menu.
Once you open PyMol, you can then load in the PDB file by using the 'File' menu in the control window and selecting 'Open...', then browse to the desktop or wherever you have saved the PDB file.
A basic set of instructions for using PyMol can be downloaded here, but you will be provided with all the information you need during the practical.