How clever is this?

ZenGum · 09-19-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Online gamers crack enzyme riddle
Online gamers have achieved a feat beyond the realm of Second Life or World of Warcraft: they have deciphered the structure of an enzyme of an AIDS-like virus that had thwarted scientists for a decade.

SNIP

Their target was a monomeric protease enzyme, a cutting agent in the complex molecular tailoring of retroviruses, a family that includes HIV.

Figuring out the structure of proteins is vital for understanding the causes of many diseases and developing drugs to block them.

But a microscope gives only a flat image of what to the outsider looks like a plate of one-dimensional scrunched-up spaghetti. Pharmacologists need a 3-D picture that "unfolds" the molecule and rotates it in order to reveal potential targets for drugs.

This is where Foldit comes in.

Developed in 2008 by the University of Washington, it is a video game in which gamers, divided into competing groups, compete to unfold chains of amino acids - the building blocks of proteins - using a set of online tools.

To the astonishment of the scientists, the gamers produced an accurate model of the enzyme in just three weeks.

DanaC · 09-20-2011, 04:06 AM

Wow. That really is very clever.

Griff · 09-20-2011, 05:29 AM

Truly.

footfootfoot · 09-20-2011, 06:35 AM

Not surprising at all to me and a perfect example of how the entitled view themselves as superior to those who aren't given the same opportunities as themselves®.

Hurrah for the gamers.

grynch · 09-20-2011, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

Not surprising at all to me and a perfect example of how the entitled view themselves as superior to those who aren't given the same opportunities as themselves®.

Hurrah for the gamers.

WTF?

who are "the entitled" ... the scientists? ... do you know alot of scientists?...

ok, there are people who have had privileges, but there are also many ordinary people just slogging it out

Spexxvet · 09-20-2011, 07:56 AM

Brings to mind "Ender's Game".
Warning: spoiler alert

Clodfobble · 09-20-2011, 07:57 AM

This reminds me of reCAPTCHA. It's about time people started figuring out ways that all this wasted brain power could be put to better use. Very nice.

Of course, it's important to remember that these gamers did this for free. If this thing gets too common, they might start realizing what their skills are worth and refuse to play online puzzle games unless adequately compensated for it.

footfootfoot · 09-20-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grynch

WTF?

who are "the entitled" ... the scientists? ... do you know alot of scientists?...

ok, there are people who have had privileges, but there are also many ordinary people just slogging it out

I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say here. I have quit coffee a few days ago and I think my Lyme disease is back, but I promise you, I have a good idea in there and I will ferret it out and make it clear. And yes, I do know a fair number of docs, lawyers, and scientists, the majority of whom had enough money to go to college and get advanced degrees.

It's a long story. Just take my word for it.

grynch · 09-20-2011, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say here..

Clodfobble · 09-20-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say here. I have quit coffee a few days ago and I think my Lyme disease is back, but I promise you, I have a good idea in there and I will ferret it out and make it clear. And yes, I do know a fair number of docs, lawyers, and scientists, the majority of whom had enough money to go to college and get advanced degrees.

It's a long story. Just take my word for it.

Maybe what you mean is not the entitled, but the highly-formally-educated who look down on those who don't have the same degrees as they do, even though the un-degreed may be just as smart or smarter than the guy who has the piece of paper to prove it?

Lamplighter · 09-20-2011, 09:26 AM

gamers ?

footfootfoot · 09-20-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Maybe what you mean is not the entitled, but the highly-formally-educated who look down on those who don't have the same degrees as they do, even though the un-degreed may be just as smart or smarter than the guy who has the piece of paper to prove it?

I knew you would be able to explain this. You truly have a gift, cf.

My mind has a crush on your mind.

BigV · 09-20-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I knew you would be able to explain this. You truly have a gift, cf.

My mind has a crush on your mind.

get in line, buddy.

Clodfobble · 09-20-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

I knew you would be able to explain this. You truly have a gift, cf.

My mind has a crush on your mind.

Oh! Completely random thing, but before I've forgotten it again...

The contestant on the far right totally looks like a punk rock version of you.

DanaC · 09-20-2011, 01:44 PM

lol God you're right. That's Peter Serafinowiz (sp?) btw.

Excellent episode too!

09-20-2011, 05:29 AM	#3
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Truly. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

09-20-2011, 06:35 AM	#4
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	Not surprising at all to me and a perfect example of how the entitled view themselves as superior to those who aren't given the same opportunities as themselves®. Hurrah for the gamers. __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

09-20-2011, 07:56 AM	#6
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	Brings to mind "Ender's Game". Warning: spoiler alert __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

09-20-2011, 07:57 AM	#7
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	This reminds me of reCAPTCHA. It's about time people started figuring out ways that all this wasted brain power could be put to better use. Very nice. Of course, it's important to remember that these gamers did this for free. If this thing gets too common, they might start realizing what their skills are worth and refuse to play online puzzle games unless adequately compensated for it. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

09-20-2011, 09:26 AM	#11
Lamplighter Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bottom lands of the Missoula floods Posts: 6,402	gamers ?

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