1. Input protein

Tap to choose a file
or drag & drop a .pdb here

2. Conditions

Cationic threshold

Manual overrides (optional)

Net charge override

SES volume override (Å³)

Volume is estimated with a fast grid-based approximation by default. For manuscript-consistent numbers, supply a ChimeraX solvent-excluded volume and/or a Prot pi net charge above.

Structures are processed transiently to compute your prediction and are not stored afterward.

Welcome to enCAGE

Predict the outcome of protein encapsulation in apoferritin nanocages

enCAGE uses a descriptor-guided framework that integrates structural and physicochemical properties to classify the likely assembly regime for your protein of interest — efficient luminal encapsulation, steric/structural accommodation, or charge-driven off-pathway assembly.

Structure-aware Integrates size, shape and Dmax to assess steric compatibility with the ferritin cavity

Charge-informed Considers electrostatic complementarity with the negatively charged apoferritin interior

Descriptor-guided Classifies assembly into interpretable regimes with a clear, hierarchical rationale

Open & web-based Rule-based framework, no installation required — runs directly in your browser

Get started

Upload a .pdb file or enter a PDB ID on the left, then run the analysis. enCAGE is a heuristic design aid, not a validated classifier — regime boundaries are calibrated on a small in-house cargo panel.

Built on experimental evidence

Descriptor thresholds are grounded in the accompanying manuscript's cargo panel.

View source ↗

Prediction

Predicted regime

I Efficient luminal encapsulation

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Key descriptors

Descriptor	Value	Cavity reference

Rationale & notes