Recent advances in molecular dynamics simulation towards the realistic representation of biomolecules in solution

Coupled advances in empirical force fields and classical molecular dynamics simulation methodologies, combined with the availability of faster computers, has lead to significant progress towards accurately representing the structure and dynamics of biomolecular systems, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids in their native environments. Thanks to these advances, simulation results are moving beyond merely evaluating force fields, displaying expected structural fluctuations, or demonstrating low root-mean-squared deviations from experimental structures and now provide believable structural insight into a variety of processes such as the stabilization of A-DNA in mixed water and ethanol solution or reversible β-peptide folding in methanol. The purpose of this overview is to take stock of these recent advances in biomolecular simulation and point out some common deficiencies exposed in longer simulations. The most significant methodological advances relate to the development of fast methods to properly treat long-range electrostatic interactions, and in this regard the fast Ewald methods are becoming the de facto standard. Received: 9 April 1998 / Accepted: 21 May 1998 / Published online: 13 August 1998