Normal mode analysis (NMA) is a mathematical method that can be used to predict the local dynamics of macromolecules. It relies on the harmonic approximation, which assumes that the starting structure occupies a physiologically relevant energy minimum. Normal modes are derived by diagonalization of a matrix describing the second derivative of the potential energy surface, yielding eigenvalues corresponding to vibrational frequencies and eigenvectors corresponding to the modes. Typically only the lowest-frequency modes are of interest.

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