Abstract 1484 Use of the Virtual Reality App Nanome for Teaching Three-Dimensional Biomolecular Structures

Students in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology face challenges in understanding and interpreting the structures of large macromolecules, such as proteins, RNA and DNA. While these complex structures are three-dimensional (3D) in nature, most existing tools for teaching biomolecular visualization, such as screens and textbooks, operate in two dimensions. After introducing students to molecular visualization using conventional tools, we used the Virtual Reality (VR) App Nanome (www.nanome.ai) on immersive Meta Quest headsets to reinforce their learning. Nanome is designed for collaborative 3D visualization of molecules and macromolecules, molecular modeling and professional drug design. We first introduced students to the Meta Quest hardware and trained them to use Nanome using its built-in tutorial. Next, students reviewed molecular structure in Nanome using custom-designed exercises. For example, students downloaded and identified small molecules and proteins, identified active site cofactors and residues, and mutated a residue in a protein structure. In student surveys, most students (85%) reported that the activities increased or moderately increased their interest in protein structure. All students reported that the activity was somewhat or very helpful in learning about protein structure. Finally, we provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of teaching molecular visualization with this emerging technology. This research was supported by Suffolk University, including two Experiential Learning grants.