Improving RNA folding prediction algorithms with enhanced interactive visualization software

Software improvements from this project will enable new algorithms for RNA folding prediction to be explored. Issues with capacity, extensibility, multi-tasking, usability, efficiency, accuracy and testing in the original program have been addressed, and the corresponding software architecture changes are discussed herein. Previously limited to just hundreds of helices, the software can now display and manipulate million-helix RNAs. Actions on large data sets are now feasible, such as continuous zooming. A new scripting interface adds flexibility and is especially useful for repetitive tasks and software testing. Structural analysis of RNA can be streamlined using the new mechanisms for organizing experiments, running other programs and displaying results (helices, or arbitrary text and images such as statistics). Finally, usability has been enhanced with more documentation, controls and settings.