Immersive Visualization of Proteins in Virtual Reality with ChimeraX
To Know
About this Class
This interactive workshop introduces participants to the use of virtual reality (VR) in UCSF ChimeraX for immersive visualization of protein structures. VR can provide a unique inside-out view of the structures that can reveal insights not easily observable otherwise. Attendees will learn how to load, manipulate, and analyze macromolecular models in a VR environment, gaining an intuitive understanding of protein architecture, ligand binding sites, and molecular interactions. We refer to this as “Molecular Spelunking” as the experience gives an analogous sensation to cave exploration. The session will cover hardware requirements, navigation tools, and practical use cases in research and education, with live demonstrations and guided practice. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to integrate VR-based molecular visualization into their own structural biology workflows and training activities. Previous familiarity with ChimeraX will be very helpful but not required.