Video gamers design brand new proteins

Video gamers design brand new proteins


The initial results of this collaboration appear in the journal Nature. The Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington School of Medicine led the multi-institutional effort.

"There are more possible proteins than there are atoms in the universe. It's exciting to think that now anyone can help explore this vast space of possibilities," said senior co-author.

"The diversity of molecules that these gamers came up with is astonishing," said lead author. "These new proteins are by no means inferior to the stuff a PhD-level scientist might make."

Foldit was created in 2008 as a way to 'gamify' protein research. Proteins are essential biomolecules found inside every cell of every organism. Their intricate three-dimensional structures give rise to their diverse functions, which include digestion, wound healing, autoimmunity and much more.


"Designing completely new proteins that didn't exist in nature has been our goal with Foldit for a long time," said senior co-. "This new set of results shows that it's possible."


"We didn't give [Foldit players] any lectures or tell them to read anything. Instead, we tweaked the code that has run the game over many years," said senior co-author.


"I never would have believed they would get that good, but Foldit players never cease to amaze us." said the author.


"We are always trying to make the algorithms better, but the human element is key," said the author. "In fact, through Foldit design, players have even discovered flaws in the Rosetta energy function -- our state-of-the-art method for protein design."

Protein design is an emerging scientific discipline. In the past five years, experts at the Institute for Protein Design and their colleagues have created proteins that stimulate the immune system to fight cancer and others that act as potent vaccine candidates. In April, the Institute for Protein Design received a commitment of $45 million in funding through The Audacious Project, a philanthropic collaborative organized by TED, to design protein-based vaccines, medicines and materials.

Could gamers create the next blockbuster drug?

"Foldit players are a new addition to the research arsenal," said the author. "They're not a silver bullet, but they are an amazing resource."