image: Image of a protocell simulated with NAMD and built with VMD.
Credit: NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Visualization
AUBURN, Ala. – The NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Visualization and Auburn University are pleased to announce the 62nd Hands-On Workshop on Computational Biophysics, taking place from December 16-20, 2024, at Auburn University’s Department of Physics. This prestigious workshop series, first launched in June 2003 by the Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has become a premier global training event in molecular modeling. Supported by NIH, the workshop provides a unique platform for researchers across disciplines to master the latest computational biophysics techniques.
This year’s event is particularly significant with the pre-release of the highly anticipated VMD 2.0. Participants will be among the first to experience the updated VMD interface, set for full release in early 2025, which offers enhanced visualization, analysis, and customization for biomolecular modeling. Alongside VMD 2.0, attendees will receive hands-on training with GPU-resident NAMD 3, allowing them to perform advanced molecular dynamics simulations using the latest in GPU-accelerated technology.
A Comprehensive, Hands-On Approach to Molecular Modeling
The workshop’s curriculum combines foundational lectures in the mornings with immersive, hands-on laboratory sessions each afternoon. Through guided exercises, participants will learn to stretch proteins, perform free-energy calculations, pull water through molecular channels, and analyze molecular structures using state-of-the-art software such as VMD and NAMD. This "learning by doing" model is designed to provide participants with both technical skills and the experiential insight necessary for tackling complex biophysical simulations.
Since its inception, the workshop series has traveled worldwide, and Auburn University is honored to host it for the third consecutive session. Auburn’s vibrant college town and mild winter climate make it an ideal destination for scientists eager to advance their skills and connect with experts in the field of molecular biophysics.
Registration for this workshop ends on November 8.
For further information and to register, please visit the workshop website.