BPoD has moved!

BPoD has recently changed our domain name - we can now be found at bpod.org.uk

Please update your bookmarks!

Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Game of Life

New proteins designed and folded by citizen scientists

05 July 2019

Game of Life

Proteins are tiny intricate machines our cells use for thousands of specific jobs – healing wounds? metabolism? cell division? – there’s a protein for that, in fact probably a whole set. Complimenting this vast natural toolbox, biomechanical engineers are exploring new structures, virtually folding and twisting chains of amino acids [protein building blocks] with a view to helping life inside cells – the trouble is there's so many possible designs. ‘Foldit’, a new online game, involves the public in this giant protein ‘sandbox’ – using natural design rules as targets and goals for high scores. This design, a team effort from citizen scientists ‘Galaxie’ ‘Waya’, and ‘Susume’, won a recent tournament to find the most stable protein structure from a starting puzzle. With varied approaches from “collaborate with others, discuss findings” to “Wiggle it, pull it, twist it, shake it”, Foldit users are handing creative designs to researchers, potentially closing in on molecules that will improve our lives.

Written by John Ankers

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.