The University of Delaware is seeking to grow the base of 6,000 volunteers worldwide who contribute CPU cycles to the Docking@Home project, which uses that computing power in an effort to fuel biomedical research in a less expensive way than could be done on a supercomputer.
Like SETI@Home (extraterrestrial life research) and other such projects that exploit idle computer time from volunteers, Docking@Home relies on volunteers installing the open source BOINC software program on their systems, which then communicate with the Docking Server at the University of Delaware.
Docking@Home, a project supported by the National Science Foundation and spearheaded by the University of Delaware's Michela Taufer, is used to perform scientific calculations and simulations involving molecular models. The tests involve the "docking" of molecules on proteins for the purpose of exploring possible combinations that could be used to build drugs for fighting HIV, Parkinson's, arthritis and breast cancer.
Other research taking place at the University of Delaware includes figuring out a way to enable volunteers to use a Nintendo Wii to contribute to scientific research, such as by throwing a molecule into a protein.
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Easy way to join BOINC projects
I suggest to everyone looking to join Docking@home to check out GridRepublic's website as an easier way to join and get started.
GridRepublic is a nonprofit working in collaboration with BOINC to make it simple and easy to discover, join, and manage involvements in projects using BOINC such as Docking@home.
You can find out more and get started at: http://www.gridrepublic.org
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