Monday, September 19, 2011

Online gamers succeed were scientists fail

Online gamers have solved the structure of a retrovirus enzyme whose configuration had made scientists cry because they could not figure it out. The players were addicted  to a computer game, Foldit, that allows players to collaborate and compete in predicting the structure of protein molecules. After scientists repeatedly failed to piece together the structure of a protein-cutting enzyme from an AIDS-like virus, they called in the Foldit players. The scientists challenged the gamers to produce an accurate model of the enzyme, and guess what they did find it. Something that is incredible because scientists could not do it and people that play video games did. With this knew findings scientists will have a better chance to fight against AIDS which will have a dramatic impact on all of the world. Especially Africa were a good cure is much needed. Who would of thought that video gamers could have such a big impact on a scientific dilemma.

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