I'm structural biologist and I used Maya to make shiny surfaces for 3D structures of proteins. Switched to Blender though, because it was easier to import coordinates there. 

A group at scripps also wrote a nice plugin for molecular structures in 3D modeling software (http://epmv.scripps.edu/).

Maya is a computer graphics software that is 3D. It can be used for modelling, generating visual effects and other useful simulations and animations.

Maya can be very useful in Bioinformatics and biological field of research in the aspect of 3D animation and simulation of cell biology related concepts.

Maya can also provide a suitable environment to prototype and model molecular structures and activities. It can be used in simulating the dynamics of proteins (and protein structures).

Check this link for more information 

https://books.google.com.ng/books?id=GvXUdPPNPcwC&pg=PA17&lpg=PA17&dq=maya+software+and+bioinformatics+research&source=bl&ots=_gpFnHSbBX&sig=IQ55ry852lZOwKjUkzWK9wPmiHU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0KkNVdr0EMnVarvCgrAE&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=maya%20software%20and%20bioinformatics%20research&f=false

Hope these help

Olugbenga