Modeling Macromolecular Structures and Motions: Computational Methods for Sampling andAnalysis of Energy Landscapes

Abstract

With biomolecular structure recognized as central to understanding mechanisms in the cell, dry laboratories have spent significant efforts on modeling and analyzing structure and dynamics. While significant advances have been made, particularly in the design of sophisticated energetic models and molecular representations, such efforts are experiencing diminishing returns. One of the culprits is the low exploration capability of Molecular Dynamics- and Monte Carlo-based exploration algorithms. The impasse has attracted AI researchers bringing complementary tools, such as randomized search and stochastic optimization. The tutorial introduces students and researchers to stochastic optimization treatments and methodologies for understanding and elucidating the role of biomolecular structure and dynamics in function. In addition, the tutorial allows attendees to connect between structures, motions, and function via analysis tools that take an energy landscape view of the relationship between biomolecular structure, dynamics, and function. The presentation is enhanced via open-source software that permit hands-on exercises, which benefits both students and senior researchers keen to make their own contributions.