Co-Coot: A real-time collaborative tool for bio-molecular modeling and visualization

Abstract

Research collaboration to model and analyze a complex 3D bio-molecular structure is often limited because of different time zones and locations of collaborations. A network-based real-time software collaboration tool for molecular modeling and its visualization was developed to overcome the problem. Collaborative Crystallographic Object Oriented Toolkit (Co-Coot) is an add-on of software called Coot. Co-Coot enables multiple synchronous collaborative researchers at different locations to observe and manipulate their shared models of molecules simultaneously in realtime for better communication and collaboration. Co-Coot also provides additional collaborative features of sharing and transferring temporary working data of the model. It can also be used as an educational tool by providing with real-time feedback and demonstrations.