Gamers have solved the structure of a retrovirus enzyme whose configuration had stumped scientists for more than a decade. The gamers achieved their discovery by playing Foldit, an online game 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. They did it in only three weeks.
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Scientists using a widely distributed game as a think tank for solving real life problems? Stargate Universe called it.
Interestingly, if you too would like to fold proteins for science, foldit beta is available here. Going to check it out myself when I have a chance. While I doubt it'll be the next Call of Duty installment, I'm glad someone is actually putting this idea into practice. Now if they'd only take it that one final step and capitalize on the most detail oriented and obsessive gamers there are, MMO players...
