The next time someone tries telling you that videogames are a waste of time be sure to bring upFoldit,a game that gives players the chance to play with proteins by trying to fold them, and how it was used to solve a problem scientists have been working on for over a decade. Oh and the problem dealt with understanding an enzyme that will help lead to a cure for diseases like AIDS.
Despite the fact that putting the enzyme onFolditwas a last resort (scientists even tried using a special protein-folding program to solve this) it took members of theFolditContenders Group less than ten days to find a solution to this puzzle. This may be one of the coolest things I have ever read, and just goes to prove thatvideogames are good for more than just goofing aroundfor a few hours. Of course, we already knew that, didn’t we?
Gamers solve molecular puzzle that baffled scientists[Cosmic Log]
