The third volume in the series on Computer Simulation of Biomolecular Systems continues with the format introduced in the first volume [1] and elaborated in the second volume [2]. The primary emphasis is on the methodological aspects of simulations, although there are some chapters that present the results obtained for specific systems of biological interest. The focus of this volume has changed somewhat since there are several chapters devoted to structure-based ligand design, which had only a single chapter in the second volume. It seems useful to set the stage for this volume by quoting from my preface to Volume 2 [2]. "The long-range 'goal of molecular approaches to biology is to describe living systems in terms of chemistry and physics. Over the last fifty years great progress has been made in applying the equations representing the underlying physical laws to chemical problems involv ing the structures and reactions of small molecules. Corresponding studies of mesoscopic systems have been undertaken much more recently. Molecular dynamics simulations, which are the primary focus of this volume, represent the most important theoretical approach to macromolecules of biological interest." ...

The long-range goal of molecular approaches to biology is to describe living systems in terms of chemistry and physics. Over the last fifty years great progress has been made in applying the equations representing the underlying physical laws to chemical problems involving the structures and reactions of small molecules. Corresponding studies of mesoscopic systems have been undertaken much more recently. Molecular dynamics simulations, which are the primary focus of this volume, represent the most important theoretical approach to macromolecules of biological interest. Now that molecular dynamics of macromolecules is a flourishing field, serious questions have to be asked concerning what more can be done with the methodology. What is the present and the future role of molecular dynamics in the development of our knowledge of macromolecules of biological interest? How does the methodology need to be improved to make it applicable to important problems? The present volume is concerned with providing some answers with its primary focus on the methodology and its recent developments.

This textbook originated from the course 'Simulation, Modeling, and Computations in Biophysics' that I have taught at the University of Chicago since 2011. The students typically came from a wide range of backgrounds, including biology, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, and mathematics, and the course was intentionally adapted for senior undergraduate students and graduate students. This is not a highly technical book dedicated to specialists. The objective is to provide a broad survey from the physical description of a complex molecular system at the most fundamental level, to the type of phenomenological models commonly used to represent the function of large biological macromolecular machines.The key conceptual elements serving as building blocks in the formulation of different levels of approximations are introduced along the way, aiming to clarify as much as possible how they are interrelated. The only assumption is a basic familiarity with simple mathematics (calculus and integrals, ordinary differential equations, matrix linear algebra, and Fourier-Laplace transforms).

The long-range goal of molecular approaches to biology is to describe living systems in terms of chemistry and physics. Over the last fifty years great progress has been made in applying the equations representing the underlying physical laws to chemical problems involving the structures and reactions of small molecules. Corresponding studies of mesoscopic systems have been undertaken much more recently. Molecular dynamics simulations, which are the primary focus of this volume, represent the most important theoretical approach to macromolecules of biological interest. Now that molecular dynamics of macromolecules is a flourishing field, serious questions have to be asked concerning what more can be done with the methodology. What is the present and the future role of molecular dynamics in the development of our knowledge of macromolecules of biological interest? How does the methodology need to be improved to make it applicable to important problems? The present volume is concerned with providing some answers with its primary focus on the methodology and its recent developments.

Chemical Theory and Multiscale Simulation in Biomolecules: From Principles to Case Studies helps readers understand what simulation is, what information modeling of biomolecules can provide, and how to compare this information with experiments. Beginning with an introduction to computational theory for modeling, the book goes on to describe how to control the conditions of modeling systems and possible strategies for time-cost savings in computation. Part Two further outlines key methods, with step-by-step guidance supporting readers in studying and practicing simulation processes. Part Three then shows how these theories are controlled and applied in practice, through examples and case studies on varied applications. This book is a practical guide for new learners, supporting them in learning and applying molecular modeling in practice, whilst also providing more experienced readers with the knowledge needed to gain a deep understanding of the theoretical background behind key methods. - Presents computational theory alongside case studies to help readers understand the use of simulation in practice - Includes extensive examples of different types of simulation methods and approaches to result analysis - Provides an overview of the current academic frontier and research challenges, encouraging creativity and directing attention to current problems

Molecular dynamics simulations have become instrumental in replacing our view of proteins as relatively rigid structures with the realization that they were dynamic systems, whose internal motions play a functional role. Over the years, such simulations have become a central part of biophysics. Applications of molecular dynamics in biophysics range over many areas. They are used in the structure determination of macromolecules with x-ray and NMR data, the modelling of unknown structures from their sequence, the study of enzyme mechanisms, the estimation of ligand-binding free energies, the evaluation of the role of conformational change in protein function, and drug design for targets of known structures. The widespread application of molecular dynamics and related methodologies suggests that it would be useful to have available an introductory self-contained course by which students with a relatively limited background in chemistry, biology and computer literacy, can learn the fundamentals of the field. This Guide to Biomolecular Simulations tries to fill this need. The Guide consists of six chapters which provide the fundamentals of the field and six chapters which introduce the reader to more specialized but important applications of the methodology.