Mesoscale Explorer - Visual Exploration of Large-Scale Molecular Models

Abstract

AbstractThe advent of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), coupled with computational modeling, has enabled the creation of integrative 3D models of viruses, bacteria, and cellular organelles. These models, composed of thousands of macromolecules and billions of atoms, have historically posed significant challenges for manipulation and visualization without specialized molecular graphics tools and hardware. With the recent advancements in GPU rendering power and web browser capabilities, it is now feasible to render interactively large molecular scenes directly on the web. In this work, we introduceMesoscale Explorer, a web application built using theMol*framework, dedicated to the visualization of large-scale molecular models ranging from viruses to cell organelles.Mesoscale Explorerprovides unprecedented access and insight into the molecular fabric of life, enhancing perception, streamlining exploration, and simplifying visualization of diverse data types, showcasing the intricate details of these models with unparalleled clarity.Statement:Mesoscale Explorerleverages advanced GPU rendering and web technologies to facilitate and democratize the interactive 3D visualization of large-scale molecular models from viruses to cellular organelles composed of millions of atoms.Mesoscale Explorerenables broader exploration and deeper understanding of the complex structure of these large molecular landscapes.