The enzyme in question is the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus
retroviral protease, and researchers have been seeking ways of
deactivating it as a way of developing new anti-HIV drugs.
Unfortunately, the conventional efforts of computers and
scientists have come up short for years. Enter: Foldit. Foldit
was developed in 2008 as a means of discovering the structures
of various proteins and amino acids — something computers can’t
do very well — by turning it into a game. By inputting the
experimental coordinates for the monkey virus enzyme, gamers —
most of whom didn’t have a background in molecular biology —
were able to accurately predict the structure of the protein,
allowing scientists to pinpoint locations to stop the virus’
growth. The study, published in Nature Structure & Molecular
Biology, details how incredible a step this is towards
developing more effective therapies for HIV/AIDS patients. It’s
also an important precedent that lays the groundwork for
scientists and lay people to work together to solve new