[RASMB] ANNOUNCEMENT: New UltraScan release

[Borries Demeler]

Dear Colleagues,

I am happy to announce UltraScan II release 810. This software package
contains a new interface for building genetic algorithm constraint files
used in the fitting of user-defined, reversibly interacting and non-interacting
models using the supercomputer backend. There are also numerous upgrades and
improvements in the UltraScan LIMS web interface for AUC analysis. UltraScan
now contains initialization and 2D/3D visualization interfaces for:

    * 2-dimensional spectrum analysis (2DSA) including time-invariant, 
      radially-invariant noise removal, and meniscus fitting, iterative
      and non-iterative optimization.

    * Genetic Algorithm optimization (GA), incl. parsimonious regularization

    * 2DSA analysis + molecular weight constraints

    * GA analysis + molecular weight constraints

    * GA analysis for user-defined non-interacting models

    * GA analysis of user-defined reversibly interacting models to determine
      equilibrium constants and kinetic rate constants from velocity experiments

    * 2DSA global multi-speed analysis (non-interacting systems only)

    * GA global multi-speed analysis (non-interacting systems only)

    * All models can be combined with a Monte Carlo analysis for 
      statistical analysis of the results.

All models use the latest ASTFEM-RA algorithm for the finite element solution
of the Lamm equation.

Also new in this release:

Our first beta release for the new UltraScan SOMO SOlution MOdeler with 
integrated RASMOL for bead modeling of X-ray crystallography and NMR derived
PDB files. For more information, please see:

Brookes E, Demeler B, Rosano C, Rocco M. The implementation of SOMO
(SOlution MOdeller) in the UltraScan analytical ultracentrifugation data
analysis suite: enhanced capabilities allow the reliable hydrodynamic
modeling of virtually any kind of biomacromolecule. Eur Biophys J. 2009
Feb 21. [Epub ahead of print]

Finally, I am happy to announce 2 new supercomputer queues offering public
access to 2 x 40 processor queues on Laredo via the US-LIMS system.
Laredo is our latest cluster addition featuring 4-way AMD Phenom processors 
with 8GB RAM/processor.

The software can be freely downloaded from http://www.ultrascan.uthscsa.edu
with native versions for Linux, Unix/X11, Macintosh OS-X 10.4 and 10.5, and for
Windows XP and Vista. Also available is a complete operating system for
Intel/AMD based systems containing an updated Linux/UltraScan Slackware distribution. 

Contributors to this release:

		Emre Brookes
		Mattia Rocco
		Bruce Dubbs
		Dan Zollars
		Jeremy Mann

Happy analysis!

-Borries

Want to learn more about UltraScan? Join us for the 7th Annual UltraScan Analytical
Ultracentrifugation Workshop: Focus on Problem Solving: From Experimental Design 
to Data Analysis. May 28th - June 1st in sunny San Antonio, Texas. More info at:
http://www.ultrascan.uthscsa.edu/workshop/