Structure Prediction & Target Enablement

Harness the structural biology revolution

Structure Prediction & Target Enablement

Unlock your protein target for high-precision, structure-based design

We are in the midst of a revolution in structural biology, with a proliferation of available structures across protein classes now possible due to advances in cryo-EM and technologies such as AlphaFold. However, significant refinement and accurate ligand placement is required to use these models in physics-based simulations including docking and free energy perturbation.

Schrödinger’s comprehensive suite of solutions for protein model refinement, ligand placement, and binding site analysis allows you to unlock a broader range of targets for structure-based design.

CAPABILITIES

Solutions to generate design-ready structures from a broad range of starting points

Enable both on-targets and off-targets for rigorous structure-based design

High resolution structures

Prepare high resolution X-ray crystal or cryo-EM structures for structure-based design

Quickly and reliably prepare high-quality, all-atom protein models suitable for physics-based simulations
Predict the binding mode of novel ligands in existing structures at near experimental accuracy
Understand competitor binding modes without needing to obtain an experimental structure for each series

Low resolution structures

Refine and validate low resolution X-ray crystal or cryo-EM structures

Correct common structural problems and create reliable, all-atom protein models
Dock ligands into ambiguous density, such as in cryo-EM structures, using a best-in-class force field to resolve uncertainty
Place cofactors and solvent to convert low resolution models into complete, all-atom representations

No structure

Create and validate structures from homologous protein sequence or make use of available AlphaFold structures

Harness the power of genomic data to easily create homology models of pharmaceutically relevant targets
Reliably and accurately dock ligands into template-based homology models or AlphaFold structures
Quantitatively validate structural models using known SAR and a highly accurate in silico binding affinity assay

Identify and assess the druggability of protein binding sites

Binding site identification

Rapidly identify and rank a protein’s probable binding sites with confidence

Cryptic pocket exploration

Elucidate cryptic binding pockets and reveal binding hot spots using metadynamics accelerated sampling workflow for mixed solvent simulations

Hydration site analysis

Discover new possibilities for ligand design by predicting the location and thermodynamic potential of hydration sites in the binding site

Case studies & webinars

Discover how Schrödinger technology is being used to solve real-world research challenges.

Structure-based drug discovery without a structure: Enabling accurate FEP+ predictions for challenging targets and ADMET anti-targets

Opening new worlds for structure-based drug discovery with advanced computational methods

Improving protein-ligand modeling into cryo-EM data and the use of those models in drug discovery efforts

Documentation & Tutorials

Get answers to common questions and learn best practices for using Schrödinger’s software.

Life Science Tutorial

Protein pKa Prediction with Constant pH Molecular Dynamics

Determine pKa values and protonation states for protein residues.

Life Science Tutorial

Homology Modeling of Protein-Ligand Binding Sites with IFD-MD

Create a homology model of TYK2, including a bound ligand, using the structure of JAK3 as a starting point. Then you will compare this homology model with the crystal structure for TYK2 bound to 4GIH ligand.

Biologics Tutorial

Identifying impactful mutations using FEP+ residue scanning

Perform an FEP+ residue scan for identifying the impact of mutations on the stability and affinity of a protein-protein system.

Life Science Tutorial

Introduction to MD Simulations with Desmond

Prepare, run, and perform simple analysis on an all-atom MD simulation with Desmond.

Life Science Tutorial

Understanding and Visualizing Target Flexibility

Evaluate PDB temperature factors, align binding sites, and use MD to identify flexibility.

Life Science Tutorial

Approximating Protein Flexibility without Molecular Dynamics

Soften potentials in Glide and run induced-fit docking for side chain conformational changes and loop refinement.

Life Science Tutorial

Introduction to MD Trajectory Analysis with Desmond

Analyze an all-atom Desmond MD trajectory to study protein-ligand interactions.

Life Science Tutorial

Disulfide Bond Engineering

Run cysteine scanning to identify residues that could be mutated to cysteine to improve thermal stability and facilitate crystallization

Materials Science Tutorial

Modeling Receptor Binding in an Olfactory Protein

Learn how to prepare structures for docking and create a protein mutation by modeling an olfactory receptor.

Life Science Tutorial

Obtaining Protein Free Energy Perturbation Thermostability Predictions for Single Point Mutations

Prepare, run and analyze a protein Free Energy Pertubation (FEP) simulation to obtain thermostability predictions for single point mutations in the T4 Lysozyme

Key Products

Learn more about the key computational technologies available to progress your research projects.

Maestro

Complete modeling environment for your molecular discovery

IFD-MD

Accurate ligand binding mode prediction for novel chemical matter, for on-targets and off-targets

FEP+

High-performance free energy calculations for drug discovery

Glide

Industry-leading ligand-receptor docking solution

OPLS4 & OPLS5 Force Field

A modern, comprehensive force field for accurate molecular simulations

Prime

A powerful and innovative solution for accurate protein structure prediction

SiteMap

Fast, accurate, and intuitive binding site identification

WaterMap

State-of-the-art, structure-based method for assessing the energetics of water solvating ligand binding sites for ligand optimization

Desmond

High-performance molecular dynamics (MD) engine providing high scalability, throughput, and scientific accuracy

Publications

Browse the list of peer-reviewed publications using Schrödinger technology in related application areas.

Using AlphaFold and Experimental Structures for the Prediction of the Structure and Binding Affinities of GPCR Complexes via Induced Fit Docking and Free Energy Perturbation

Coskun, D. et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2024, 20(1), 477–489

Benchmarking Refined and Unrefined AlphaFold2 Structures for Hit Discovery

Zhang, Y. et al. J. Chem. Inf. Model. 2023, 63(6), 1656–1667

Induced-Fit Docking Enables Accurate Free Energy Perturbation Calculations in Homology Models

Xu, T. et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2022, 18(9), 5710–5724

Software and services to meet your organizational needs

Software Platform

Deploy digital drug discovery workflows using a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for molecular modeling, design, and collaboration.

Research Services

Leverage Schrödinger’s computational expertise and technology at scale to advance your projects through key stages in the drug discovery process.

Support & Training

Access expert support, educational materials, and training resources designed for both novice and experienced users.