If you've ever heard anyone say that video games can't teach you anything. You can reply with this game here. Fold It, is an innovative computer puzzle game that lets you help with scientific research.
The catch? Just play the game! The objective centers around figuring out the way proteins fold up into their most stable and useful states. So what do proteins exactly do? They aren't just something in nutrition, they are smaller parts that have many different jobs within our bodies. From repairing parts within our bodies to digesting foods.
The proteins are made of up of chains called amino acids, and these chains make up what shape the protein will be. Once they are made the proteins fold onto themselves creating obscure shapes. These shapes make them stable and define how they operate.
Knowing how these shapes are formed is important in helping scientists figure how the protein works, also if it is a protein that creates diesease scientists will be able to prevent the protein.
So you might be wondering "Couldn't they just have computers do it?" NOPE. Computers are actually not great at figuring out how the proteins fold up where as people are! Fold It, looks at bacteria, viruses and dieseases. You compete with others to see who can get the protein in the most stable state.
Overall, the best part about this game is that it's FREE! So what're you waiting for? go start folding some proteins!
