The Fold It project has been trying for many years to find new approaches to scientific challenges with the help of computer players. The researchers have now published a special edition of the game that deals with the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). To participate, interested parties have to download and install the software from the project website, register – and then fight the virus.
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The game is divided into several levels, a simple tutorial explains the controls and the basic procedure. Ultimately, it is always a matter of combining virus and proteins.
The idea: If this new protein binds to the virus, SARS-CoV-2 can no longer make contact with the cells of the human body – the infection would no longer be possible.
In the highest difficulty level of Fold It, players can try to create a new protein from scratch. Scientists at the University of Washington, more precisely at the Institute for Protein Design in Seattle, then further analyze particularly unusual approaches.
Players are always seen as a reliable aid for completing complex tasks. There is always an attempt to use their swarm intelligence in their search for planets, life in space or medication.
Legendary in this context is a joke by Valve boss Gabe Newell: He once joked that gamers would probably find a cure for cancer within a week. At least if his company made it a condition for the release of Half-Life: Episode 3.
However, if you want to participate in research related to the corona virus, you don’t necessarily have to play. Stanford University scientists are looking for supporters to provide them with computing capacity. To do this, you have to install the Folding @ Home software on your PC, which automatically helps with complex calculations for the corona virus during breaks.
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