Managing complex DNA nanostructure projects often comes down to efficient design iteration and reuse. If you’re working with modular DNA components, you might have experienced the pain of handling dozens of separate files, repeating design processes, or even breaking your workflow by switching between tools with incompatible formats.
That’s where .adn and .adnpart file formats come in. These custom file formats are introduced by Adenita, a SAMSON Extension for the 3D design and visualization of DNA nanostructures, and they offer a straightforward solution to one of the most common bottlenecks in DNA nanostructure modeling: organizing and reusing your custom components.
What is a .adnpart file?
The .adnpart format lets you save individual components of your DNA nanostructure for later reuse. These could be single or double strands, lattice patterns, or wireframe elements that you’ve spent time designing and refining.
For example, imagine that you’ve designed a connector DNA motif or a recurring tetrahedral structure. Instead of rebuilding it each time or trying to extract it from a complex workspace, saving it as an .adnpart allows you to load it into any project quickly—instantly becoming part of your reusable library.
What is a .adn file?
Unlike .adnpart, the .adn format represents the entire current DNA nanostructure as a single project. Everything that is handled through Adenita—including multiple components and their relationships—can be stored in one .adn file. Note that systems not handled through Adenita won’t be saved in this format.
Why use these formats?
- Speed up your design process: Reuse custom motifs, wireframes, and lattice pieces across multiple projects without starting from scratch.
- Stay organized: Modularize your work into manageable pieces that can be easily loaded, shared, or edited individually.
- Avoid compatibility issues: Unlike generic formats, .adn and .adnpart preserve your design intent and all Adenita-specific metadata.
How to access these features?
Within the main Adenita interface (found in Home > Apps or through Find everything…), you’ll see icons to save selected components (.adnpart) or your full design (.adn).
Save Component: Saves a reusable part in .adnpart format
Save Entire Design: Stores all Adenita-handled nanostructures in .adn format
When should you use them?
Use .adnpart when you’re building libraries of DNA motifs, connectors, or repeating structural modules. Use .adn when you’re ready to archive or share your full project. Both file types streamline collaboration and future edits—especially useful when working in teams or managing multiple structure versions.
To learn more about how Adenita manages nanostructure designs, visit the full documentation at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/tutorials/adenita/adenita/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.