Anton is a special-purpose supercomputer for biomolecular simulation, designed and constructed by D. E. Shaw Research (DESRES), that can perform molecular dynamics simulations roughly 100 times faster than any other general-purpose supercomputer. With the latest, third-generation Anton system, researchers will produce results in days that would take years on any other resource, sparking innovative studies that will challenge and shift current paradigms in the simulation of biomolecular systems.
With much anticipation due to its unique, specialized nature, Anton 3 began operations at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center on April 1. This system is an ideal resource for members of the national biomedical community who are already simulating long-trajectory molecular dynamics. Projects include research on enzymes, vesicle fusion, dengue virus, proton channels, protein signaling, membrane remodeling, drug resistance and drug design. These simulations could not be done in a reasonable amount of time with any other supercomputer or molecular dynamics software available to the academic community.
Anton is available without cost for non-commercial use by biomedical researchers at U.S. universities and other not-for-profit institutions after selection of proposals by a committee from the National Academies. Requests for Proposals will open every year in the fall. We welcome new communities, and every year reserve at least 25% of the machine for researchers with no experience on Anton.