Sampling and Scoring in Protein-Protein Docking

Protein-protein docking is considered one of the most important techniques supporting experimental proteomics. Recent developments in the field of computer science helped to improve this computational technique so that it better handles the complexity of protein nature. Sampling algorithms are responsible for the generation of numerous protein-protein ensembles. Unfortunately, a primary docking output comprises a set of both near-native poses and decoys. Application of the efficient scoring function helps to differentiate poses with the most favorable properties from those that are very unlikely to represent a natural state of the complex. This chapter explains the importance of sampling and scoring in the process of protein-protein docking. Moreover, it summarizes advances in the field.