Synchronizing Sequence and 3D Views in SAMSON: A Practical Guide

For molecular modelers, managing complex molecular structures across different representations can be a daunting task. A common pain point is ensuring consistent selections between sequence views and 3D visualizations. SAMSON’s Sequence View offers an elegant solution, providing seamless synchronization between the Sequence View, the Document View, and the 3D Viewport. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to leverage this feature and improve your modeling efficiency.

Understanding the Sequence View

The Sequence View in SAMSON is an interactive interface designed to simplify molecular structure navigation and analysis. When you select residues in the Sequence View, the corresponding elements are automatically highlighted in the Document View and the 3D Viewport. Similarly, the reverse is true—selections made in the 3D Viewport or Document View instantly reflect in the Sequence View. This tight integration saves time and reduces errors when working with large or complex molecular systems.

The Sequence View

Colorizing Residues Based on Biophysical Properties

One of the ways the Sequence View enhances molecular analysis is through its ability to colorize residues based on their biophysical properties. With this feature, you can quickly identify and analyze areas of interest, such as hydrophobicity patterns or charge distributions. Notably, these color schemes aren’t just limited to the Sequence View; they can be transferred to the 3D Viewport, providing you with a more intuitive spatial understanding of the molecular structure.

The Sequence View - Colorization

How to Access the Sequence View

Accessing the Sequence View in SAMSON is straightforward. You can use one of the following methods:

  • From the Home menu, select the View sequence command:

View sequence action in the Home menu

  • Alternatively, you can right-click on a structure in the 3D Viewport, then select Structural model > View sequence from the Context menu:

View sequence action in the Context menu

Handling Structures with Multiple Chains

When working with structures that include multiple chains, SAMSON provides a handy pop-up dialog to let you choose which sequence or sequences you’d like to view. This ensures that you can focus on the specific chains of interest without unnecessary clutter.

Open Sequence Views for multiple chains

Conclusion

By integrating the Sequence View into your molecular modeling workflows, you can streamline your analysis and improve the consistency of your selections across different views. This feature is particularly valuable for managing large or intricate molecular structures effectively. To dive deeper into the Sequence View and explore its capabilities, visit the official documentation.

SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.

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