Gamers help to unlock an HIV mystery

[Vulpes Abnocto]

The next time you're berated by your parents for gaming rather than doing something constructive, look them straight in the eye and say:
"I'm doing it for SCIENCE!"

In just three weeks, gamers deciphered the structure of a key protein in the development of AIDS that has stumped scientists for years. According to a study published Sunday in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, the findings could present a significant breakthrough for AIDS and HIV research.

Using an online game called Foldit, players were able to predict the structure of a protein called retroviral protease, an enzyme that plays a critical role in the way HIV multiplies. Unlocking the build of the protein could theoretically aid scientists in developing drugs that would stop protease from spreading.

“Following the failure of a wide range of attempts to solve the crystal structure of M-PMV retroviral protease by molecular replacement, we challenged players of the protein folding game Foldit to produce accurate models of the protein,” the study reads. “Remarkably, Foldit players were able to generate models of sufficient quality for successful molecular replacement and subsequent structure determination. The refined structure provides new insights for the design of antiretroviral drugs.”

Developed by researchers at the University of Washington, Foldit turns scientific problems into competitive games. Players were charged with using spatial and critical thinking skills to build 3D models of protease. Few of these players had any kind of background in biochemistry.

According to Fox, it took players a matter of days to come up with models that were solid enough for researchers to translate into scientific rendering of the protein.

“People have spatial reasoning skills, something computers are not yet good at,” Foldit’s lead designer Seth Cooper said in a statement. “Games provide a framework for bringing together the strengths of computers and humans.”

Foldit has not only made this breakthrough with AIDS research, but it has also aided in Cancer and Alzheimer’s research. For more, read the study in its entirety here.

For more from Leslie, follow her on Twitter @LesHorn.

Source

 

[Veho]

That's amazing. Really amazing.

 

[Danny600kill]

Another great thing for Gamers

We don't play games for fun you know .......

 

[ShadowSoldier]

Another great thing for Gamers

We don't play games for fun you know .......

...yeah, sure, NOW you don't.

 

[Forstride]

Games might not be completely useless, but if you say "Oh, I solely play video games to cure cancer," you're clearly a liar. Games were created for entertainment, and they'll always be entertainment at their core.

 

[Densetsu]

Holy...

Funny you mention this, I just went over opportunistic infections related to HIV last week!

Awesome find, Vulpes!

 

[nando]

so are the gamers gonna get any kickbacks from the sales of such treatments? they do tend to charge an arm and a leg. i'd say since the public was involved in solving this, the treatment should become public realm.

 

[MEGAMANTROTSKY]

so are the gamers gonna get any kickbacks from the sales of such treatments? they do tend to charge an arm and a leg. i'd say since the public was involved in solving this, the treatment should become public realm.

As if drug companies would allow such progressive and egalitarian sentiment.

 

[GeekyGuy]

so are the gamers gonna get any kickbacks from the sales of such treatments? they do tend to charge an arm and a leg. i'd say since the public was involved in solving this, the treatment should become public realm.

Though you're obviously joking, I could see a possible market similar to WoW gold farming for this. Groups of folks "playing" through scenarios or whatnot in a similar attempt to approach these sorts of problems in more productive, stimulating ways. Seems like they've proven more than the value of gamers -- perhaps people are more productive when they're having fun.

 

[nando]

so are the gamers gonna get any kickbacks from the sales of such treatments? they do tend to charge an arm and a leg. i'd say since the public was involved in solving this, the treatment should become public realm.

Though you're obviously joking, I could see a possible market similar to WoW gold farming for this. Groups of folks "playing" through scenarios or whatnot in a similar attempt to approach these sorts of problems in more productive, stimulating ways. Seems like they've proven more than the value of gamers -- perhaps people are more productive when they're having fun.

no i'm not joking. medical pattens are a serious business, if i was the one that predicted the model and said model was used in the development of a drug, i'd want my piece of the pie.

 

[DiscostewSM]

Take that anti-gaming activists!

I think this is really cool because many people think games rot the brain. Well, maybe some games do, but there are games can help build logic, imagination, etc., even if the gamer is not consciously aware of it, nor are they aware when they actually use them within the games themselves. If I remember correctly, there was an article some time back (sorry that I don't have the link on me)about how surgeons who played video games were able to be more precise in their work as they not only had better hand-eye coordination, but also had more focus.

 

[shakirmoledina]

u need basic knowledge to do something like that.
this is really good but i dont understand why some other non-typical gamer could not solve this "puzzle".

rather than making games for science, i would suggest gamers provide help or hints so that the pros can do it.
games are a great way to learn, we need games that can teach some more advance or long term lessons like language learning or scientific facts.
jeopardy is good example but u have to have significant amount of knowledge to play it in the first place.

 

[Ikki]

That's really awesome.

 

[GeekyGuy]

u need basic knowledge to do something like that.
this is really good but i dont understand why some other non-typical gamer could not solve this "puzzle".

rather than making games for science, i would suggest gamers provide help or hints so that the pros can do it.
games are a great way to learn, we need games that can teach some more advance or long term lessons like language learning or scientific facts.
jeopardy is good example but u have to have significant amount of knowledge to play it in the first place.

Well, I think perhaps the idea is, like SETI, they don't necessarily know what they're looking for or how to find it. Change the way you look at something -- in this case, using lay people rather than scientists -- and perhaps you gain a certain insight that might otherwise elude you.

 

[Deleted_171835]

More like this,

 

[Guild McCommunist]

My joke for today:

Virgins help solve sexually transmitted disease.

Bah dum tish.

 

[Ritsuki]

"- Okay guys, we're stuck... -Let's make a game and ask help to the gamer's community. -That's the worst idea ev-- Wait. *thinks* Brillant. Let's do this."

Coming Soon : World of Cancer.

Just kidding. Nice initiative. It's always a good idea to see things with a new, fresh eye.

 

[Wizerzak]

Gamer vs. non-gamer - "I think we can put our differences behind us, for science, you monster."

 

[BobTheJoeBob]

Achievement unlocked - cured HIV.

 

[Fishaman P]

Finally, an excuse!