DNASTAR Releases NovaFoldTM Structure Prediction Software

NovaFold is based on the I-TASSER algorithms developed at the University of Michigan by Dr. Yang Zhang and his team of scientists.   I-TASSER has won the biennial Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction (CASP) competition for the past eight years.  As such, it is recognized as the premier sequence-based protein structure prediction software globally.

NovaFold combines  the award-winning I-TASSER algorithms with key components from DNASTAR’s long history of successful software development and commercialization, including an intuitive graphical user interface; integration with Protean 3D, which is the protein sequence, structure and bioinformatic analysis component of DNASTAR’s Lasergene software; and use of the Amazon cloud, supplementing DNASTAR’s other software on the cloud,  released earlier this year.

Tom Schwei, Vice President and General Manager of DNASTAR, said, “NovaFold is the result of hard work by many people both within and outside of DNASTAR.  This is a major step forward in DNASTAR’s collaboration with a recognized global leader in this domain and NovaFold represents a significant broadening of DNASTAR’s product offering.  NovaFold will appeal to many of our current customers as well as attract structural biologists and protein scientists whose work didn’t previously give them exposure to DNASTAR software products.   It also represents an ideal use of the Amazon cloud, which we have incorporated into the product design to handle the most complex, time consuming calculations, while delivering results quickly and effectively to Protean 3D software on the cloud or on a scientist’s desktop computer.   We are very pleased with this initial release of NovaFold and we look forward to continuing to improve it in the future.”

Dr. Yang Zhang added, “I am very excited to see DNASTAR advance the work of our team for greater commercial exposure.  I-TASSER has long had a strong presence in the academic market.  DNASTAR’s advances and improvements on the technology will help open up new markets supporting a wider range of scientists, which will eventually help advance our understanding of the fundamental relation between sequence, structure and function of protein molecules.  I have enjoyed working with DNASTAR and look forward to continuing to collaborate with their scientists towards future technical improvements in the product, as well.”