Crowdsourcing science: how gamers are changing scientific discovery

For 15 years, scientists and their computers had tried to solve a biological puzzle seen as a key hurdle in the fight against AIDS.

On Sept. 18, the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology announced that two teams of computer gamers had solved it in three weeks.

Using a game called FoldIt, the teams uncovered the structure of a class of proteins scientists say is vital to the growth and reproduction of the virus linked to AIDS. The discovery could help scientists neutralize the protein.

FoldIt represents a unique approach toward engaging citizen scientists, and it is the latest innovation in a decade-long trend – researchers enlisting everyday people and their personal computers to take part in humanity's scientific enterprise.

Some scientists, like FoldIt's creators, seek to tap the competitive, problem-solving skills of gamers. Others are asking outsiders to make their computers part of data-crunching networks. And some amateurs are helping to classify everything from distant galaxies to features on the moon.

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http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2011/1005/Crowdsourcing-science-how-gamers-are-changing-scientific-discovery

turns out that the game has 2 components---individual & team. The woman who came up with the solution couldn't get her idea to work in her individual game, but when she added it to the team's game, it worked.



dg

But Wicked cool!

Knew that gamers were a go-to resource a while ago.

Back to Star Craft 2 now...