U.S gamers, playing a protein folding game called Foldit, have successfully unlocked the structure of an AIDS related enzyme that scientists have been unable to unlock for a decade.
While this is only a small piece of the puzzle, it is nevertheless a step forward in paving the way to treat AIDS. “This is one small piece of the puzzle in being able to help with AIDS,” said Firas Khatib, a biochemist at the University of Washington. This feat was accomplished utilizing a collaborative online game called Foldit. "People have spatial reasoning skills, something computers are not yet good at," said Seth Cooper, a University of Washington computer scientist who is Foldit's lead designer and developer. "Games provide a framework for bringing together the strengths of computers and humans."
For over a decade, a international team of scientists have been trying to unravel the detailed molecular structure of a protein-cutting enzyme from an AIDS-like virus found in rhesus monkeys. These enzymes, known as the retroviral proteases, play a key role in the virus’ spread. In other words, if their detailed structure can be figured out, designer drugs can be invented to stop the virus in its tracks.
What make this so difficult are the millions of ways in which chemical bonds within the enzymes can change. This is where Foldit comes in. As the game is designed for players to manipulate virtual molecular structures that look like multicolored, curled-up Tinkertoy sets. Players who can create a molecular structure requiring the lowest energy level for maintenance receives the highest score. This scoring system reflects the laws of biochemistry, where molecules tend to form into the most energy efficient structure.
The scientists previously tried to solved the puzzle using protein-folding computer program called Rosetta, but to no avail. Fortunately the capabilities of Foldit presented a unique opportunity to share this puzzle with a larger audience. "This was really kind of a last-ditch effort," said Khatib. "Can the Foldit players really solve it?"
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What followed was beyond belief. "They actually did it in less than 10 days," said Khatib. "Foldit shows that a game can turn novices into domain experts capable of producing first-class scientific discoveries," said Zoran Popovic, director of University of Washington's Center for Game Science. "We are currently applying the same approach to change the way math and science are taught in school."
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