A More Convenient Research Tool Emerges

A few months ago, we discussed the introduction of a virtual reality lab simulator concept. Named Labster VR, this application was created to enable a wider audience—including students and self-learners—to access laboratory settings without the need to acquire bulky and expensive equipment.

This time, we are looking at an application developed by Nanome, a company already in use by certain medical corporations and pharmaceutical labs. The goal? To manipulate molecules to aid in the design of future medications and treatments. This method is not only more cost-effective and functional but is also a safer way to handle materials.

“A single misplaced residue can create problems and hinder drug development efforts. A single mutation can cause diseases like sickle cell anemia,” according to Steve McCloskey, CEO of Nanome.

How Does It Work?

Equipped with a virtual reality headset and motion controllers, researchers can grab and move molecules around on a platform, as demonstrated in the video at the end of this article. It’s important to note that these manipulations occur directly in the cloud, which facilitates the necessary calculations during the simulation. It is also possible to compare results with previous simulations, or even share them with other scientists, potentially setting the stage for collaborative efforts.

Who knows, maybe treatments for major diseases such as cancer could be discovered through this kind of technology! Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the Nanome app is available for free on the Oculus VR store.