Bayesian Learning for Accurate and Robust Biomolecular Force Fields

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Authors: Vojtěch Košťál, B. Shanks, Pavel Jungwirth, Hector Martinez-Seara
Cited by: 1
References: 61

Abstract

Molecular dynamics is a valuable tool to probe biological processes at the atomistic level ─ a resolution often elusive to experiments. However, the credibility of molecular models is limited by the accuracy of the underlying force field, which is often parametrized relying on ad hoc assumptions. To address this gap, we present a Bayesian framework for learning physically grounded parameters directly from ab initio molecular dynamics data. By representing both model parameters and data probabilistically, the framework yields interpretable, statistically rigorous models in which uncertainty and transferability emerge naturally from the learning process. This approach provides a transparent, data-driven foundation for developing predictive molecular models and enhances confidence in computational descriptions of biophysical systems. We demonstrate the method using 18 biologically relevant molecular fragments that capture key motifs in proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, and, as a proof of concept, apply it to calcium binding to troponin ─ a central event in cardiac regulation.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Protein Structure and Dynamics Machine Learning in Bioinformatics Machine Learning in Materials Science

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Volume
22
Issue
5
Pages
2652–2663
Publication date
19 February 2026
Language
EN