mmcif-pdbx
Python utilities for PDBx/mmCIF storage model
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need basic mmCIF parsing in pure Python with no external dependencies. The permissive license, active maintenance, and support for current Python versions make it a low-risk choice. Choose the canonical py-mmcif package instead if you need advanced features or performance optimization for large-scale structure processing.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.10 or later.
- Low friction installation with no runtime dependencies.
- Actively maintained with recent releases; supports current Python versions (3.10–3.13).
License · maintenance · safety
CC0-1.0 (permissive) — Licensed under CC0-1.0 (public domain equivalent), permissive treatment. No restrictions on use, modification, or redistribution for any purpose.
last release 2026-04-26 (110 days) · last repo commit 2026-04-26 · 9 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 429,380 downloads/mo, #6,739 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install mmcif-pdbx
import mmcif.io
reader = mmcif.io.PdbxReader('structure.cif')
reader.read()- Whether the package's API has stabilized since version 2.0 or if further breaking changes are expected.
- Performance characteristics when parsing large mmCIF files compared to the canonical py-mmcif package.
What it is and what it does
mmcif-pdbx is a lightweight, pure-Python library for working with PDBx/mmCIF molecular structure files—the standard format used by the Protein Data Bank to store macromolecular structure data. It provides utilities to read and parse these files into Python objects, making structural biology data accessible without compiled dependencies.
The package is derived from the official mmCIF examples but prioritizes simplicity and PEP8 compliance over the feature completeness of the canonical py-mmcif package. It has no runtime dependencies, making it easy to integrate into projects that need basic mmCIF functionality. It is actively maintained and supports modern Python versions.
Use it for
- Parse PDB structure files in mmCIF format for structural biology analysis pipelines.
- Extract molecular coordinates and metadata from PDBx files in research or educational contexts.
- Build lightweight bioinformatics tools that need mmCIF support without C/C++ acceleration overhead.
- Integrate mmCIF data handling into Python applications where dependency minimalism is important.
- Prototype or test structural data workflows before committing to a heavier framework.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need basic mmCIF parsing in pure Python with no external dependencies.
The permissive license, active maintenance, and support for current Python versions make it a low-risk choice. Choose the canonical py-mmcif package instead if you need advanced features or performance optimization for large-scale structure processing.
Install
mmcif-pdbx on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction installation with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained with recent releases; supports current Python versions (3.10–3.13). Repository shows modest but steady activity.
Requires Python 3.10 or later.
License in practice
Licensed under CC0-1.0 (public domain equivalent), permissive treatment. No restrictions on use, modification, or redistribution for any purpose.
Quickstart
pip install mmcif-pdbx
import mmcif.io
reader = mmcif.io.PdbxReader('structure.cif')
reader.read()Verify before relying
- Whether the package's API has stabilized since version 2.0 or if further breaking changes are expected.
- Performance characteristics when parsing large mmCIF files compared to the canonical py-mmcif package.
Package facts
| License | CC0-1.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 110 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 429,380 / month, #6,739 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaEnvironment :: ConsoleNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Topic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Bio-InformaticsTopic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Chemistry |
Evidence: mmcif_pdbx-2.1.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also mmcif · modelcif · pdb2pqr · ihm · gemmi · biotite · mrcfile · fastpdb · pinder