Breaking boundaries: TINTO in POKY for computer vision-based NMR walking strategies

Abstract

Nuclear magnetic resonance is a crucial technique for studying biological complexes, as it provides precise structural and dynamic information at the atomic level. However, the process of assigning resonances can be time-consuming and challenging, particularly in cases where peaks overlap, or the data quality is poor. In this paper, we present TINTO (Two and three-dimensional Imaging for NMR sTrip Operation via CV/ML), an advanced semiautomatic toolset for NMR resonance assignment. TINTO comprises two separate tools, each tailored for either two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging. The toolset utilizes a computer-vision approach and a machine learning approach, specifically structural similarity index and principal components analysis, to perform visual similarity searches of resonances and quickly locate similar strips, and in that way overcome the challenges associated with peak overlap without requiring peak picking. Our tool offers a user-friendly interface and has the potential to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of NMR resonance assignment, particularly in complex cases. This advancement holds promising implications for furthering our understanding of biological systems at the molecular level. TINTO is pre-installed in the POKY suite, which is available at https://poky.clas.ucdenver.edu.