Science Games

Scientists have used computer games to improve their ability to decipher the three-dimensional structure of proteins

Proteins are what coordinate and order a living organism. The message coded on the DNA is translated and implemented through proteins. Proteins are formed by a complex mechanism that translates the DNA code into a 3-dimensional structure, and the determination of this precise structure is key to understanding how our body functions. It is the exact shape of a protein, for example, that may turn an enzyme on or off, like a lock and key. Biochemists and computer scientists had been using computer programmes to figure out the structure, but found that even supercomputers were not at their best once they actually got close to the final structure. 

Two years ago, researchers at the University of Washington (UW)launched a project which turned the problem into a computer game. The game, Foldit, is reminiscent of Tetris. Thousands have since played the game that asks them to fold a protein. 

Results published in the journal Nature show that Foldit is a success. Analysis shows that players bested the computer on problems that required radical moves, risks and long-term vision—qualities that computers do not possess. “People in the scientific community have known about Foldit for a while, and everybody thought it was a great idea, but the really fundamental question in most scientists’ minds was ‘What can it produce in terms of results? Is there any evidence that it’s doing something useful?’’’ says principal investigator Zoran Popovi, a UW associate professor of computer science and engineering. “I hope this paper will convince a lot of those people who were sitting on the sidelines, and the whole genre of scientific discovery games will really take off,” he adds.  Now, Foldit players will focus on designing novel proteins. Last year, a Texas player who goes by the name BootsMcGraw was the first Foldit player to have his new protein design synthesised in the Baker lab. Although this particular structure did not work, the researchers plan to try again and are optimistic about the possibilities.

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