Resource for Macromolecular Modeling and Visualization
Project Number5R24GM145965-03
Contact PI/Project LeaderTAJKHORSHID, EMAD
Awardee OrganizationUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
Description
Abstract Text
SUMMARY
The main mission of the P41 Biomedical Technology Research Resource for Macromolecular Modeling and
Bioinformatics (P41-GM104601) over the last three decades has been developing state of the art computational
technologies for biomolecular and cell simulations and visualization, implementing them in efficient, economical,
user-friendly software solutions, and disseminating them to the biomedical community at no cost. The Resource
has enabled high-quality, rigorous research for the biomedical scientists who need to integrate molecular and
cell modeling, simulation, and visualization in their research, not only at diverse academic institutions, but also
in industry. The flagship software programs, VMD and NAMD and their auxiliary plugins, are used currently
by more than 125,000 users and have received a staggering number of 57,000 citations (19,711 in 2018-2021
alone), reflecting the massive use of the technologies and programs developed by the Resource, and its sub-
stantial economies of scale. The Resource's partnership with the biomedical community resulted in the 2020
ACM Gordon Bell Special Prize for COVID-19 Research. Under the R24 mode of operation, a major goal of
the Resource will be to ensure that its software solutions remain current and available to its large user base on
existing and upcoming hardware platforms commonly used at local and institutional levels, and at national super-
computing centers, where a large fraction of the overall time is consumed by biomedical researchers using the
Resource's programs. Given the key position of these programs, several major supercomputing centers as well
as major hardware vendors have established strong relationships with the Resource, even directly supporting
software development and optimization. In addition, the Resource will ensure the utility of its programs by includ-
ing algorithmic changes/updates that are critical to applicability of the codes and/or demanded by the community.
The Resource will also sustain and expand its comprehensive user training program, empowered by an already
existing, large collection of online tutorials, case studies, and hands-on workshops. Another major activity of the
Resource will be to continue to support its users in the proper and efficient application of the software programs
through customer support services and expanding and upgrading the documentation for the programs. The R24
Resource for Macromolecular Modeling and Visualization will be evaluated on a continuous basis by monitoring
quantitative metrics such as the number of its active users (users of multiple versions of software) and citations,
by conducting regular user surveys requesting input from the user community which will also assist in identifying
most critical features and improvements, and by the technical input from the external advisory board.
Public Health Relevance Statement
NARRATIVE
Computer-based modeling, simulation, and visualization of molecular systems have evolved as indispensable
tools for modern science and medicine. Over the past three decades, the NIH Resource at Illinois has provided
some of the most advanced and widely used (currently with more than 125,000 users) software packages that
make computational tools and algorithms for molecular and cell modeling readily and freely available to the
biomedical community. Beyond developing computational technology driven by the needs of its very large user
base, the Resource is engaged in training activities supported by an unparalleled number of fully online and
heavily used set of tutorials, case studies, workshops, and a heavily visited web site.
NIH Spending Category
No NIH Spending Category available.
Project Terms
AlgorithmsAreaAutomationBioinformaticsBiologicalBiomedical ResearchBiomedical TechnologyCOVID-19Case StudyCell modelCellsCloud ComputingCodeCollectionCommunitiesComputational algorithmComputer ModelsComputer softwareConsumptionCryoelectron MicroscopyData CollectionDocumentationEducationEducational workshopEmerging TechnologiesEnsureFree EnergyFundingGenomeGoalsIllinoisImageIndividualIndustryInstitutionInternetKnowledgeLigandsMainstreamingMedicineMembraneMembrane ProteinsMethodsMissionModelingModernizationMolecularMonitorNational Center for Research ResourcesNational Institute of General Medical SciencesPerformancePlug-inPositioning AttributePrizeProceduresProtein DynamicsR24ReproducibilityResearchResearch PersonnelResourcesRunningSamplingScienceScientistServicesSoftware ToolsStructural BiologistSupercomputingSurveysSystemTechniquesTechnologyTimeTrainingTraining ActivityTraining ProgramsUpdateVendorVisitVisualizationWorkWritingbasebiomedical scientistcommunity engagementcomputational platformcomputerized toolscostcyber securitydata qualityempowermentexperienceimprovedinteroperabilitylaptoplarge datasetsmodels and simulationmolecular modelingonline tutorialoperationoutreachprogramsscreeningsimulationsoftware developmentstructural biologysupercomputertooluser friendly softwareweb serverweb site
No Sub Projects information available for 5R24GM145965-03
Publications
Publications are associated with projects, but cannot be identified with any particular year of the project or fiscal year of funding. This is due to the continuous and cumulative nature of knowledge generation across the life of a project and the sometimes long and variable publishing timeline. Similarly, for multi-component projects, publications are associated with the parent core project and not with individual sub-projects.
No Publications available for 5R24GM145965-03
Patents
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Outcomes
The Project Outcomes shown here are displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Institutes of Health. NIH has not endorsed the content below.
No Outcomes available for 5R24GM145965-03
Clinical Studies
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News and More
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History
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Similar Projects
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