Typically, VR immerses you in another world, one that’s similar to your own, just in a different place. But Nanome, Inc. takes the concept of immersion to a whole new level – the molecular level, letting users explore the small all around us.
Officially launched today on SteamVR, Oculus, and VivePort, this free experience allows anyone with a compatible HMD to import, visualize, and manipulate molecules.
Multiple users collaborating in Nanome. Image courtesy of Nanome, Inc.
“The Nanome launch is an inflection point for the entire field of Nanosciences,” said Steve McCloskey, CEO of Nanome Inc. “Never before have people had the tools to zoom down to the nanoscale and interact with molecules with their own hands. We are taking concepts that are historically difficult and wrapping them into a clean and friendly VR environment, while maintaining the scientific accuracy that is demanded by scientists and professionals worldwide.”
HOW IT WORKS
Nanome allows users to import molecular structures from databases, and then export them to PDBs or MMCIFs for reference. People from all around the world can enter the VR environment together for a shared, real-time experience, or they can spectate via traditional 2D screens.
Developed in conjunction with the University of California, San Diego, Nanome aims to empower scientists, researchers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, hobbyists, and more to expedite and streamline the experimentation process so more discoveries can be made faster, according to the company.
“With VR, one has [the] ability to stand and walk into molecules, between molecules, manipulate molecules,” said Zoran Radic, Ph.D., professor at UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Nanome Beta User, “The main advantage that I see… it provides information practically instantaneously. This qualitative experience allows one to start thinking fast… especially compared to two-dimensional screen [sic].”
The platform expands beyond physical sciences – for example, a sister application called CalcFlow leverages a VR environment to help users better understand the foundations of vector calculus.
WHERE YOU CAN GET IT
Nanome is compatible with the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality HMDs, available for free in the respective platform stores including SteamVR, Oculus, and HTC Port. Paid customized versions to suit any specific need are available via special order from the company. Click here to find more information about Nanome.
What do you think about the potential of Nanome? Will you be leveraging it at your institution? Let us know in the comments below!
Thumbnail image courtesy of Nanome, Inc.
