One of the most common pain points for molecular modelers is the constant need to juggle multiple tools, plugins, and scripts across different platforms just to get one workflow done. What if all of those tools could be brought directly into the same environment—no compilation, no tedious setup, just click and go?
This is where the SAMSON Extension Marketplace makes a difference. With SAMSON Connect, an integrated module marketplace inside the SAMSON platform, you can extend your molecular modeling environment with just a few clicks. No need for external downloads, environment variables, or configuration puzzles.
Why use SAMSON Extensions?
Imagine you’re working on a complex modeling problem: you need to import PDB files, run molecular dynamics simulations, visualize electron densities, and generate publication-ready images. Instead of writing scripts or playing version roulette with external software, SAMSON Extensions let you:
- Import structures using dedicated file parsers (PDB, electron density formats, etc.).
- Edit or build molecular models with specialized tools designed for tasks like bond manipulation or nanotube generation.
- Simulate interactions using built-in force fields or your own with interaction model modules.
- Visualize scalar fields, secondary structure elements, or electron density maps in high quality.
- Export refined structures in various formats, including PDB and XYZ.
How to Browse and Add Extensions
Getting started is simple. Start by signing into your account on SAMSON Connect. Then head to the SAMSON Connect – Marketplace. There, you can filter by category—apps, editors, importers, exporters, visual models, and more. Each extension has a description, usage instructions, and sometimes even interactive tutorials.
Tailor Your Installation
You’re not stuck with a one-size-fits-all setup. Only install the tools that matter to your work. Whether you’re in protein design, materials science, or quantum chemistry, you can assemble a modeling environment that fits your needs without the bloat.
Extensions can also be updated or removed as needed. You’re in full control of your modeling environment, and SAMSON handles all internal dependencies automatically.
Use Case: From Import to Simulation
Let’s say you’re studying ligand binding. You import a PDB file using a parser extension. You define interactions and run a minimization or molecular dynamics simulation using an interaction model along with a state updater (like a minimizer). You visualize the trajectory right in the viewport using a visual model to compare electrostatic surfaces.
Each of these steps can be performed using extensions directly sourced from the SAMSON Connect marketplace—no command line, no script chaining, just consistent and integrated workflows.
Getting Started
Ready to build your own SAMSON workspace? Sign in, explore the available modules in the SAMSON Connect – Marketplace, and start customizing your SAMSON installation.
To learn more, visit the official documentation page on extending SAMSON.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.