New and improved features

Density-guided simulations

Users can now apply additional forces from three dimensional reference densities. These forces can be used to “fit” atoms into the densities by increasing the similarity of a simulated density to the reference density.

Multiple protocols are available for how to calculate simulated densities as well as how the similarity between a reference and a simulated density is evaluated.

Virtual site on the line through two atoms at fixed distance

This is use useful for e.g. halogens in the CHARMM force field.

Issue 2451

gmxapi Python support

Data flow driven simulation and analysis from Python is now available in a default GROMACS installation when users install the gmxapi Python package. See gmxapi Python package.

New modular simulator

A new approach for how to combine individual calculation steps during a single simulation step is introduced, with focus on extensibility and modularization. This simulator is the default now for simulations using velocity-verlet in NVE, NVT (v-rescale thermostat only), NPT (v-rescale thermostat and Parrinello-Rahman barostat only), or NPH (Parrinello-Rahman barostat only), with or without free energy perturbation.