The protein folding problem: finding a few minimums in a near infinite space

High-throughput docking for lead generation

Recent improvements in flexible docking technology may lead to a bigger role for computational methods in lead discovery. Although fast and accurate computational prediction of binding affinities for an arbitrary molecule is still beyond the limits of current methods, the docking and screening procedures can select small sets of likely lead candidates from large libraries of either commercially or synthetically available compounds.

New approaches in molecular structure prediction

In the past years, much effort has been put on the development of new methodologies and algorithms for the prediction of protein secondary and tertiary structures from (sequence) data; this is reviewed in detail. New approaches for these predictions such as neural network methods, genetic algorithms, machine learning, and graph theoretical methods are discussed. Secondary structure prediction algorithms were improved mostly by considering families of related proteins; however, for the reliable tertiary structure modeling of proteins, knowledge-based techniques are still preferred. Methods and examples with more or less successful results are described. Also, programs and parameterizations for energy minimisations, molecular dynamics, and electrostatic interactions have been improved, especially with respect to their former limits of applicability. Other topics discussed in this review include the use of traditional and on-line databases, the docking problem and surface properties of biomolecules, packing of protein cores, de novo design and protein engineering, prediction of membrane protein structures, the verification and reliability of model structures, and progress made with currently available software and computer hardware. In summary, the prediction of the structure, function, and other properties of a protein is still possible only within limits, but these limits continue to be moved.