Molecular Dynamics Software

Mino
September 04, 2024
software_and_tools

A comprehensive list of molecular dynamics simulation software

Molecular Dynamics Software
Molecular Dynamics Software

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are a cornerstone of computational chemistry, biophysics, and materials science, enabling researchers to study the physical movements of atoms and molecules over time. Choosing the right MD software is crucial for achieving reliable and efficient simulation results. This guide provides a detailed overview of various MD software tools, highlighting their capabilities, computational efficiency, and application scopes. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a student just beginning in the field, understanding the different options available can help you select the software that best fits your project's needs.

The following table summarizes the key features of popular MD software tools, including

  • Name: The official name of the software, linked to its homepage where more detailed information can be accessed.
  • Force Field: The types of force fields supported by the software. Force fields are mathematical models used to calculate the forces between atoms in molecular simulations. Different force fields are tailored for different types of molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, or organic molecules.
  • Type of Simulation: Describes the kinds of molecular simulations the software is capable of performing. This includes classical molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics hybrid simulations (QM-MM), and other specialized types of molecular simulations.
  • HPC Capability: Indicates the software's ability to perform efficiently on High-Performance Computing systems. This includes support for parallel computing, which is critical for running large-scale simulations efficiently.
  • GPU: Indicates whether the software supports GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) acceleration. GPU acceleration can significantly speed up molecular dynamics simulations by performing parallel computations faster than a standard CPU.
  • Customizable: Reflects whether the software can be customized or extended through scripting, plugins, or source code modification. Customizability is important for researchers who need to implement specialized simulation conditions or analysis workflows.
  • License: Describes the licensing model under which the software is distributed. This can range from proprietary to free open source. Some software might be available under multiple licensing terms depending on the use case (e.g., academic vs. commercial use).

This information is intended to aid in making an informed decision about which software to utilize for your molecular dynamics simulations.

NameForce FieldType of SimulationHPC CapabilityGPUCustomizableLicense
AMBER
Classical MD
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, Free open source
Various (customizable)
Classical MD, Biomolecular simulations
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, gratis, commercial
ReaxFF, UFF, QM-MM
QM, DFT, semi-empirical
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, commercial, gratis trial
Customizable
Classical MD, QM-MM
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Mixed: free open source (GNU GPL) & commercial
Various (plugin-based)
Molecule building, Editing
Medium
No
Yes
Free open source GNU GPL
OPLS
Classical MD
Medium
No
Limited
Proprietary
CHARMM
Classical MD
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, commercial
N/A
Chemical kinetics
Low
No
No
Proprietary
Various
Classical MD, QM, QM-MM
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Free open source GNU GPLv2 or later
Various
Classical MD
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, commercial or gratis
Various
Small molecule, Protein-ligand docking
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, trial available
Customizable
Protein folding
Medium
No
Limited
Proprietary, commercial or gratis
Customizable
Protein design
Low
No
No
Proprietary, commercial or gratis
GROMOS, OPLS, AMBER
Classical MD
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Free open source GNU GPL
GROMOS
Classical MD
High Performance
Yes
Limited
Proprietary, commercial
Various
Classical MD, Coarse-grained MD
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Free open source, GNU GPLv2
OPLS-AA, MMFF
Classical MD
High Performance
No
Limited
Proprietary
Various
Classical MD, QM
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, trial available
Various
Classical MD, QM
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, trial available
CHARMM, Custom
Classical MD
Medium
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, free trial available
Various
Classical MD
High Performance
No
Yes
Free open source GNU GPL
Various
Classical MD
High Performance
No
Limited
Proprietary
Various
Fluid simulations
High Performance
No
Yes
Free open source
AMBER, CHARMM
Classical MD
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Free open source MIT
CHARMM, AMBER
Classical MD
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, free academic use
Various
QM, MD, QM-MM
High Performance
No
Yes
Free open source, Educational Community License version 2.0
Custom
Protein optimizing
Medium
No
Yes
Proprietary
Custom
Free energy calculations
Medium
No
Yes
Free open source GNU GPLv2 or later
Various
QM, semi-empirical
High Performance
No
Yes
Various
Computational nanoscience
High Performance
No
Yes
Proprietary, gratis
Various
MM, DFT, semiempirical
High Performance
No
Yes
Proprietary
Various
MM, QM
Medium
No
Limited
Proprietary, free trial available
Various
QM, ab initio MD
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, trial licenses available
Various
Classical MD, QM-MM
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary, gratis
Various
Molecular graphics, modeling
High Performance
No
Yes
Proprietary, free academic use
Various
Molecular graphics, modeling
High Performance
Yes
Yes
Proprietary

Run molecular dynamics simulation software online

With the increasing demand for flexible and scalable computational resources, running molecular dynamics (MD) simulations online has become an essential capability for researchers across disciplines. DiPhyx is designed to meet this need by offering a cloud-native platform where you can run a wide range of MD simulation software directly from your browser, without the need to manage complex installations or dedicated hardware.

Key Benefits of Running MD simulation software on DiPhyx:

  • Scalability: DiPhyx allows you to harness the power of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters and cloud resources, scaling your simulations from small to large systems with ease. Whether you're running a short test or a long-term study, DiPhyx ensures that you have the computational power you need, when you need it.
  • Ease of Use: The DiPhyx platform offers an intuitive interface that makes it simple to set up, run, and monitor your MD simulations. With pre-configured environments for popular MD software, you can start simulations with just a few clicks, eliminating the hassle of software installation and configuration.
  • Access from Anywhere: As a fully online platform, DiPhyx provides the flexibility to run your MD simulations from any location, on any device. This means you can conduct your research remotely, collaborate with team members in different parts of the world, and keep your projects moving forward without interruption.
  • Automatic Updates: Running your simulations on DiPhyx ensures that you always have access to the latest versions of your preferred MD software. The platform is regularly updated with the latest features and performance enhancements, so you can focus on your research without worrying about software maintenance.
  • Data Management and Security: DiPhyx not only simplifies the execution of MD simulations but also offers robust data management features. Your simulation data is securely stored in the cloud, with options for easy sharing, collaboration, and compliance with regulatory standards.

Available Molecular Dynamics Software to Run Online on DiPhyx

DiPhyx now supports several powerful molecular dynamics (MD) software packages, enabling researchers to conduct simulations with ease and efficiency. These tools are fully integrated into the platform, allowing you to take advantage of DiPhyx's scalable computing resources and user-friendly interface.

  • AMBERMD: AMBER (Assisted Model Building with Energy Refinement) is a widely used MD software suite designed for simulating biomolecules. Known for its accuracy and efficiency, AMBERMD supports a variety of force fields and simulation types, making it ideal for studying the dynamics of proteins, nucleic acids, and other complex biological systems.
  • GROMACS: GROMACS (GROningen MAchine for Chemical Simulations) is a high-performance MD package primarily designed for simulating proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Renowned for its speed and flexibility, GROMACS supports a wide range of simulations, from small molecules to large biomolecular systems, and offers advanced features like replica exchange and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations.
  • LAMMPS: LAMMPS (Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator) is a versatile MD simulator that excels in modeling materials science problems, including solid-state systems, soft matter, and coarse-grained biomolecular simulations. Its modular structure allows users to customize simulations with a variety of force fields and integration methods, making it a popular choice for both academic and industrial research.

These software packages are now available on DiPhyx, giving you access to robust MD simulation tools in a cloud-native environment. Simply select the software that best suits your research needs and start running simulations with the power and flexibility of DiPhyx.

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Note: We are progressively adding more MD software tools to the DiPhyx platform. If you need us to prioritize the integration of specific software, please send us an email at info@diphyx.com. We value your input and look forward to enhancing your experience with DiPhyx.

DiPhyx is your gateway to running advanced molecular dynamics simulations online, offering the computational power and convenience you need to accelerate your scientific discoveries.