Foldit

Have your parents ever told you when you were young that you should study hard so one day you could cure cancer and become famous? This saying is common from parents who push their kids to get off their butts and make a difference in the world. Few parents actually mean their sons or daughters must become a doctor, much less cure cancer, but what if I were to tell you there is a way that anyone, not just doctors, could contribute to a cure? Well before I do, know that there is not just one cancer that needs supervision. But, whatever the number, one common thing could help cure all or them: proteins... enzymes to be exact. Enter David Baker, a biochemist at the University of

Dr. David Baker, University of Washington

A typical Foldit protein structure

Washington. Baker figured that scientists studying the three-dimensional structure of proteins had already been educated about what to do and not to do in terms of folding a protein, but like musicians that sound good because they can't read music and therefore deviate from the normal patterns, the public might actually make more progress. Thus, he created Foldit, a downloadable computer game that allows players to mess around with the structure of proteins.... IN 3D! The game uses a score system that, unlike the standard video game, never reaches a limit. You are to fold the protein as compact as possible and yet still within the rules of natural folding. This game is MUCH more difficult than the previous three games I blogged about, but the feeling you get when your score rises is more fulfilling because you know you are actually discovering something original, and not preset. My question to you is this: I have listed the top four citizen science games (involving molecular study), but can you think of any more topics that involve molecular science that could be crowd-sourced? Leave answers in the comments below.