Proteins Mosaic Q: a citizen-science project to gather evidence for a novel 3D protein structural pattern

An example of visual caption of the mosaic pattern, this time in protein structure 2BA1. This global collaborative initiative calls on volunteers to help gather evidence for a newly proposed general feature in protein structure. They can do so by rendering and sharing specific 3D protein-structure snapshots, contributing to an open, community-driven discovery effort. The project is already present on major citizen-science platforms

(IN BRIEF) Proteins Mosaic Q is a global citizen-science initiative that invites volunteers to help confirm a newly identified structural pattern in the three-dimensional architecture of proteins. The project focuses on how amino acids cluster according to their chemical families, forming a distinctive mosaic-like arrangement that can be measured mathematically and also recognized visually in protein images. Participants contribute by generating protein visualizations using the open-source software Jmol and submitting snapshot images that illustrate the pattern, allowing independent observers to verify and expand the evidence collaboratively. Led by biotechnologist Francisco Javier Lobo Cabrera, mathematician José Antonio Prado-Bassas, and biologist María Ángeles García-Rosado Delgado, the project builds on statistical analysis of more than 160,000 protein 3D structures and simulations that revealed a strong signal for this amino-acid grouping pattern. To broaden participation, the initiative is listed on citizen-science platforms such as SciStarter and EU-Citizen.Science, enabling volunteers worldwide to contribute observations. The collected images are stored in a growing public repository, helping create a shared visual record of protein structures while fostering collaboration within a growing community of supporters and contributors.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 17-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Proteins Mosaic Q has emerged as a global citizen-science initiative that focuses on a recently found structural pattern in the 3D structure of proteins. It analyzes how amino acids group together according to their chemical family, generating a characteristic mosaic that can be quantified mathematically but also appreciated directly visually in multiple observations. The project now seeks to collect more images that confirm this pattern.

The goal is explicitly collaborative: to gather independent visual confirmations from many observers and, in doing so, crowdsource a finding effort around a structural trait that appears to be general in protein structure. Volunteers act as independent observers by rendering protein images and submitting snapshots as evidence. These contributions are being compiled into a growing, collaborative image repository, creating a community record of examples that can be checked and expanded over time.

Promoted by Francisco Javier Lobo Cabrera (biotechnologist, PhD, Pablo de Olavide University), Prof. José Antonio Prado-Bassas (Faculty of Mathematics, University of Seville), and María Ángeles García-Rosado Delgado (biologist, MSc, University of Seville), the project is now featured on two major citizen-science platforms, making it easier for volunteers worldwide to discover and join. Particularly, it is published on SciStarter, a U.S-based hub that curates and aggregates citizen-science projects from around the world, and on EU-Citizen.Science, a leading European citizen-science platform supported by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme.

The initiative builds on statistical and computational analysis of experimental data comprising more than 160,000 protein 3D structures, alongside multiple stochastic structure simulations, obtaining a strong signal (R2 = 97.8%) for a specific amino acid grouping pattern in the architecture of proteins, which is shown to be non-trivial and dependent on a specific configuration of those groups (clusters). Now, volunteers from anywhere in the world can participate in collecting more evidence via the generation of snapshot images using the open-source molecular visualization software Jmol, in a process that typically takes about fifteen minutes. The recommended background is basic familiarity with biomolecules and proteins, plus curiosity and a short learning curve to recognize what the pattern looks like.

Multiple independent observers have already participated in the project’s repository and the project’s community has currently more than 340 followers on LinkedIn and on other social media channels, helping to share examples, updates, and participation guides.

Media contact:

Francisco Javier Lobo Cabrera
e-mail: francisco.lobo6@gmail.com
Calle San Isidoro 14, Seville (Spain)
+ 34 658 446 194

Website:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Proteins Mosaic Q project?
   Proteins Mosaic Q is a global citizen-science initiative that investigates a recently observed structural pattern in the three-dimensional architecture of proteins. The project studies how amino acids cluster according to their chemical families, creating a distinctive mosaic-like arrangement that can be analyzed mathematically and recognized visually in protein structure images.
2. What is the main goal of the project?
   The project aims to collect independent visual confirmations of this structural pattern across many protein structures. By crowdsourcing observations from volunteers around the world, the initiative seeks to build a growing repository of images that support and further examine this potential universal feature of protein architecture.
3. Who leads the Proteins Mosaic Q initiative?
   The project is promoted by Francisco Javier Lobo Cabrera, José Antonio Prado-Bassas, and María Ángeles García-Rosado Delgado, researchers associated with the Pablo de Olavide University and the University of Seville.
4. How does the citizen-science participation work?
   Volunteers generate images of protein structures using the open-source visualization software Jmol. They then submit snapshot images showing the mosaic pattern of amino acid clusters. Each image acts as independent observational evidence that helps validate the structural pattern.
5. What background knowledge is required to participate?
   Participants typically benefit from basic familiarity with biomolecules and protein structures. However, the project is designed to be accessible, and the learning process for recognizing the mosaic pattern is relatively short for motivated volunteers.
6. How long does it take to contribute?
   Creating and submitting a protein visualization usually takes around fifteen minutes. This makes it possible for participants to contribute meaningful observations without requiring large time commitments.
7. What scientific research supports the project?
   The initiative builds on statistical and computational analyses of more than 160,000 experimentally determined protein structures, along with stochastic simulations. These analyses revealed a strong signal (R² ≈ 97.8%) suggesting that amino acids group in specific cluster patterns within protein structures.
8. Where can people find or join the project?
   Proteins Mosaic Q is listed on major citizen-science platforms such as SciStarter and EU-Citizen.Science, making it easy for volunteers worldwide to learn about the project and participate.
9. What happens to the images contributed by volunteers?
   All submitted snapshots are stored in a collaborative online repository that serves as a visual database of protein structures displaying the mosaic pattern. This repository allows researchers and participants to review examples, verify findings, and expand the dataset over time.
10. How is the project community growing?
    The initiative has already attracted multiple independent contributors and continues to expand its reach through online platforms and social media, where participants share examples, updates, and guides for new volunteers.

SOURCE: Proteins Mosaic Q