McGill University researchers' game exploits the human brain
Bioinformaticians at McGill University in Canada have developed an online game called Phylo that they say can boost research into the cause of diseases resulting from defects in DNA code.
“There are some calculations that the human brain does more efficiently than any computer can, such as recognizing a face,” says lead researcher Dr. Jérôme Waldispuhl of the School of Computer Science, in a statement. “Recognizing and sorting the patterns in the human genetic code falls in that category. Our new online game enables players to have fun while contributing to genetic research – players can even choose which genetic disease they want to help decode.”
While you can access the game now at McGill, the school hopes to someday integrate Phylo with Facebook, so that you can weave it right into your game playing routine alongside Farmville, etc.
The game brings to mind another game, dubbed FoldIt, out of the University of Washington that also focuses on using human thinking to improve genetics understanding.
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