Foldit

A computer game that helps scientific research

Wei Bao2011 11 30

Rosetta @ Home

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Protein Structure Protein Structure predictionprediction

Protein dockingProtein docking

Protein designProtein design

Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s DiseaseAntraxAntraxHerpes simplex virus 1Herpes simplex virus 1HIVHIVMalariaMalaria

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Powerful, But Never Enough!!!

*From Wiki

FolditFoldit

• In 2008, the FolditFoldit project submitted solutions to the Critical Assessment of Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction (CASP) contest. The results were announced in early 2009.

• In 2011, players of Foldit Foldit helped to decipher the crystal structure of the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) retroviral protease, an AIDS-causing monkey virus. While the puzzle was available to play for a period of three weeks, players produced an accurate 3D model of the enzyme in just ten days. The problem of how to configure the structure of the enzyme had stumped scientists for 15 years.*

4* From Wiki Website

How Does It Work

• Just like playing other games.

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Scoring system

• Hydrophobicity• Interatomic repulsion• Cavities

• To get a lower energy conformation/ Rosetta energyTo get a lower energy conformation/ Rosetta energy

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You do not need to be professionalYou do not need to be professional

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A survey did among top 50 players A survey did among top 50 players

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Foldit Vs. Rosetta

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VS

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Beats

Foldit Wins for now

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1. Distinguish starting point2. More varied methods3. Motivation ( competition)

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Games for ChristmasGames for Christmas