Gamers in Fold.it solved a scientific problem
In May 2008, we discussed the new computer game Fold.it , which was developed by scientists from the University of Washington (USA). The program is a model for folding proteins into three-dimensional structures. A gamer should try to do this in the best possible way by working with real proteins. The results are sent to the processing center, where they are checked on a supercomputer.
Over the past three years, players have been able to put together a few successful molecules, but their latest discovery cannot be compared with the previous ones: an exact model of the protease enzyme that plays a key role in the infection of the body by the monkey HIV virus has been found and confirmed. The model of this protein could not be obtained for the past 15 years. Now you can try to create a medicine that affects this enzyme.
An article with a complete description of this protein and thanks to the players of Fold.It. was published yesterday in the scientific journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. who managed to make his model.
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An enzyme model from an illustration for a scientific article
Screenshot from Fold.It game with this enzyme
Each protein (in the human body there are more than 100,000 species) is a long molecule. Predicting into which intricate form this molecule will collapse under certain conditions (and whether it can even curl into any stable form) is a task of the highest degree of complexity. Computer modeling is a resource-intensive process, but at the same time critical in pharmaceuticals. Indeed, without knowing the shape of a protein, it is impossible to model its properties. If these properties are beneficial, then proteins can be synthesized and new effective preparations can be made on their basis.
Currently, hundreds of computers are working on calculating the model of each protein molecule, but the Fold.It project offers a new method: not a dumb search of all the options, but intellectual brainstorming through a computer game. The number of options is reduced by an order of magnitude, and the supercomputer will find the correct folding parameters much faster.
Everyone can play the three-dimensional "entertaining" Fold.it: even children and secretaries who have no idea about molecular biology. The developers have tried to make this game that it was interesting to everyone. And the result of the game may well become the basis for the Nobel Prize and save the lives of thousands of people.
Over the past three years, players have been able to put together a few successful molecules, but their latest discovery cannot be compared with the previous ones: an exact model of the protease enzyme that plays a key role in the infection of the body by the monkey HIV virus has been found and confirmed. The model of this protein could not be obtained for the past 15 years. Now you can try to create a medicine that affects this enzyme.
An article with a complete description of this protein and thanks to the players of Fold.It. was published yesterday in the scientific journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. who managed to make his model.
')
An enzyme model from an illustration for a scientific article
Screenshot from Fold.It game with this enzyme
Each protein (in the human body there are more than 100,000 species) is a long molecule. Predicting into which intricate form this molecule will collapse under certain conditions (and whether it can even curl into any stable form) is a task of the highest degree of complexity. Computer modeling is a resource-intensive process, but at the same time critical in pharmaceuticals. Indeed, without knowing the shape of a protein, it is impossible to model its properties. If these properties are beneficial, then proteins can be synthesized and new effective preparations can be made on their basis.
Currently, hundreds of computers are working on calculating the model of each protein molecule, but the Fold.It project offers a new method: not a dumb search of all the options, but intellectual brainstorming through a computer game. The number of options is reduced by an order of magnitude, and the supercomputer will find the correct folding parameters much faster.
Everyone can play the three-dimensional "entertaining" Fold.it: even children and secretaries who have no idea about molecular biology. The developers have tried to make this game that it was interesting to everyone. And the result of the game may well become the basis for the Nobel Prize and save the lives of thousands of people.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/128744/
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