Coarse-grained models of water

Coarse-grained (CG) models for macromolecules have become a standard in the study of biological systems, overcoming limitations in size and time scales encountered by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Just as in any biomolecular ensemble, water in CG models plays a key role in mediating intermolecular and intramolecular interactions. However, owing to the highly nontrivial properties of water, important simplifications have been commonly used to treat solvation effects. Recent developments of CG models for water are overviewed, comparing some characteristic features and limitations.