One of the most common challenges for molecular modelers is finding the right tool for a specific task—especially when working with a complex system that requires specialized functionality. Whether it’s parsing a new file format, creating a unique visual model, automating a workflow, or simulating molecular dynamics, the tool you need might not be part of your software’s standard toolbox.
That’s where the SAMSON Extension Marketplace comes in. Instead of being limited by a fixed set of built-in features, SAMSON allows researchers and developers to download new tools, called SAMSON Extensions, from SAMSON Connect – Marketplace. This flexibility can save time, streamline workflows, and help tailor modeling environments to specific research needs.
What Are SAMSON Extensions?
SAMSON Extensions are modular components that add functionalities to SAMSON. These can be:
- Apps: standalone features, services, or external integrations
- Editors: tools to interact with and modify molecular documents
- Importers and Exporters: file converters (e.g., for PDB, XYZ, or density maps)
- Visual Models: graphic renderings like protein secondary structures or isosurfaces
- Interaction Models: simulation models for computing forces and energies
- State Updaters: methods like molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo simulations
Each user can customize their SAMSON installation to include only the components they need—resulting in a cleaner, faster, and more targeted modeling environment.
How to Get Started
To add or remove extensions, you’ll first need to sign in to your account on SAMSON Connect. From there, head to the SAMSON Connect – Marketplace. You’ll find a searchable collection of available extensions, covering a range of modeling tasks.
Want a tool to measure specific molecular distances? Or a parser for electron density maps from experimental data? You’re likely to find a dedicated extension for that. Many extensions are created by research groups worldwide, merging diverse expertise into a growing knowledge and tools ecosystem.
Managing Your Installed Extensions
The first time you install and run SAMSON, a default set of extensions is downloaded to get you started. Afterwards, you can remove ones you don’t need and add new ones on demand. This modularity makes it easy to adapt SAMSON over time as your project requirements evolve.
The SAMSON Connect Marketplace also allows you to:
- Subscribe to premium extensions (for advanced features or institutional deployments)
- Receive updates and bug fixes automatically
- Deploy extensions in cloud-based environments
Why This Matters
Rather than working around your software’s limitations, the SAMSON Extension Marketplace invites you to choose exactly what you need. It’s especially useful for academic groups or industrial teams who want to focus on their domain without reinventing basic (or advanced) tools. Having a centralized ecosystem for sharing, maintaining, and discovering molecular modeling tools also helps reduce duplicated effort across the community.
To explore all available extensions or to start customizing your setup, visit the SAMSON documentation page on extending SAMSON.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.