Work Hard, Play Harder: Combating Coronavirus with an Online Game

Abstract

Bioinformatics is the creation and application of computational tools and analytical techniques utilized to obtain, examine, and visualize biological data. Specific bioinformatic tools are employed to determine the structural composition of proteins, which play a vital role in the functioning of living organisms. The structure of a protein is the key factor in its ability to perform its job effectively. The way a protein folds into this structure can allow us to see how it would interact with other proteins, therefore making its folding conformation significant in the development of disease-fighting drugs. Foldit, an online computer program, aims to predict the ways in which a protein can fold using human processing skills. Foldit is currently contributing to coronavirus research, specifically contributing possible conformations that the coronavirus inhibitor protein could fold into. The corona virus is surrounded by a circle of spike proteins, which allow the virus to recognize and infect cells. If an antiviral drug is developed to block the recognition of the spike proteins, the virus’ ability to infect human cells would be greatly reduced. Foldit players can play the game to design an antiviral inhibitor protein that can be used against the coronavirus spike protein. The most promising designs will be tested at the University of Washington Institute for Protein Design. The Foldit game provides an opportunity for people to help discover an antiviral protein that could undergo rigorous testing and possibly be employed in a drug that could stop people from getting sick from coronavirus.