Concept clarification: discrete conformational heterogeneity

3D Variability Analysis
1

Hi Team,

As I try to understand the different algorithms and the underlying math, I am confused about the concept of discrete conformational heterogeneity (DCH). I do not understand why heterogeneous refinement cannot be used to deal with DCH. Could you please clarify, preferably with an example? Thank you

2

It can be used for this.

It is less useful for dealing with continuously distributed conformational heterogeneity, where 3D-VA will usually perform better.

Oli