6 DOF haptic feedback for molecular docking using wave variables

This paper presents a new method for a six degrees of freedom haptic feedback in molecular docking simulations in virtual reality. The proposed method allows real-time haptic interaction even in the case of classical molecular simulation which implies notoriously long computation time. These simulations are classically used by the pharmaceutical industry (Sanofi-Aventis) and are based on the energetic description of atoms to estimate the interaction between a ligand and a protein. The haptic control scheme uses wave variables for a stable and robust teleoperation, and a transcription of the calculated energy into forces and torques for the manipulation of a flexible ligand around the binding site of a flexible molecule. This method can then be used with any energetic force field using a minimization process, thus avoiding the fastidious optimization of molecular simulation programs.