Let the Common People Fold the Protein: Foldit

Foldit was chosen as the focus of this study because it was one of the first online citizen science games to be developed and has an established community of participants. Several publications have recognized the contributions of Foldit players, either collectively or by specific teams of players. One particularly notable publication highlights the efforts of Foldit participants in determining the structure of a protein molecule associated with the simian AIDS virus. While biochemists had been trying to solve the structure using traditional methods for years, two teams of Foldit participants were able to create an accurate model in just three weeks using the game’s interface.
Foldit (www.fold.it) was developed at the University of Washington in Seattle by a team of biochemists and computer game developers. It was released in May 2008 with the goal of harnessing the problem-solving abilities of non-experts to advance our understanding of protein structures. Foldit participants utilize problem-solving skills and online tools based on computer algorithms to generate accurate models of previously unknown protein structures. Players can choose to participate individually or as part of a team, and like in other computer games, they can compete against each other for points. Models that closely resemble the "natural" configuration of proteins, which requires the least amount of energy, earn higher scores.
Despite the competitive nature of the game, participants also collaborate and work together to solve puzzles. They can communicate in real-time through an internet relay chat window or…