Gamers Solve HIV Puzzle (too cool!)

[WillParkinson]

Gamers Solve HIV Puzzle

The hive mind of a group of video game enthusiasts has solved a question about an AIDS-related enzyme that has long stumped virologists.

Players of the online game Foldit have helped discover the structure of an enzyme that had the scientific community stumped for a decade, representing a significant step forward in attempts to cure retroviral diseases like AIDS. The enzyme, a Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) retroviral protease, was accurately modeled by Foldit players in just three weeks, and opens the door to development of antiretroviral drugs. Foldit makes use of players' 3D puzzle-solving abilities and competitive nature to solve problems that computers alone have been unable to do. A report, published by the University Of Washington and crediting gamers as well as researchers, says the discovery "provides new insights for the design of antiretroviral drugs."

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/09/gamers-solve-hiv-puzzle.html

[valerief]

1. That is soooo fabulous! nt

[sakabatou]

2. Gamers for the win!

[applegrove]

3. Let's here it for the homo sapien sapiens!!!!

[Shagbark Hickory]

4. So let your kids play their video games. Don't pressure them too much about doing homework or chores

They might just end up curing hiv.

[ohheckyeah]

5. That's really pretty

damn impressive. We have a lot of great minds in this country but because they aren't always conventional they aren't always utilized.

[Shandris]

6. I trust we'll have no more of that 'Youre too old for video games' spiel now, yes? =)

"Honey, sorry, can't come to bed right now...busy raiding. Erm...I mean...curing cancer!"

[lonestarnot]

7. Well isn't that something!

:wow: :thumbsup:

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. All your retroviral disease enzymes are belong to us!