Distributed Gameing for Science

[SYNACK]

Gamers have devoted countless years of collective brainpower to rescuing princesses or protecting the planet against alien invasions. This week researchers at the University of Washington will try to harness those finely honed skills to make medical discoveries, perhaps even finding a cure for HIV.

Science Daily - Computer Game's High Score Could Earn The Nobel Prize In Medicine

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2008/05/080508122520.jpg

 

This is an interesting way to speed up the folding of proteins, instead of using the spare CPU cycles it turns it into a game. Because of the innate 3D problem solving skills that humans possess it allows us to solve the larger more complicated problems faster than a computer in some cases.

 

The actual Project site is here: Solve Puzzles for Science | Fold It!

Edited May 11, 2008 by SYNACK