Reality Simulation--Observe While It Happens

Decades of method development and increasing computational power are enabling researchers to simulate complex biological processes in real time. In his Perspective, [Berendsen][1] highlights the report by [de Groot and GrubmA¼ller][2], who simulate the permeation of water through the membrane-channel protein aquaporin-1 at atomic resolution. Simulations of this sort provide insights into the permeation mechanism and can help to refine rate theories and to check the validity of approximations made to study events on much longer time scales. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/294/5550/2304 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/294/5550/2353