Beyond the flat screen: evaluating virtual reality as a complementary tool for molecular docking in drug discovery

Molecular docking is a key computational approach in drug discovery and structural biology. Traditional docking tools, while effective for high-throughput screening, often rely on rigid or semiflexible receptor models and purely algorithmic sampling, limiting accurate modeling of induced-fit effects and dynamic binding pathways. Virtual reality (VR) platforms introduce a human-in-the-loop approach, enabling immersive 3D visualization, improved spatial perception of molecular interactions, and intuitive manipulation of ligands and flexible receptor regions. In addition, collaborative VR environments allow multiple researchers to interact with the same molecular model simultaneously while working remotely, potentially enhancing communication and interdisciplinary cooperation. Despite these advantages, several challenges continue to limit the widespread adoption of VR-assisted docking. This critical review compares classical and VR-based molecular docking approaches, focusing on their respective capabilities, advantages, and current limitations.