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Determining crystal structures through crowdsourcing and coursework
S. Horowitz, B. Koepnick, R. Martin, A. Tymieniecki, A.A. Winburn, S. Cooper, J. Flatten, D.S. Rogawski, N.M. Koropatkin, T.T. HailuShow More
Published in Nature Publishing Group
2016
PMID: 27633552
Volume: 7
   
Abstract
We show here that computer game players can build high-quality crystal structures. Introduction of a new feature into the computer game Foldit allows players to build and real-space refine structures into electron density maps. To assess the usefulness of this feature, we held a crystallographic model-building competition between trained crystallographers, undergraduate students, Foldit players and automatic model-building algorithms. After removal of disordered residues, a team of Foldit players achieved the most accurate structure. Analysing the target protein of the competition, YPL067C, uncovered a new family of histidine triad proteins apparently involved in the prevention of amyloid toxicity. From this study, we conclude that crystallographers can utilize crowdsourcing to interpret electron density information and to produce structure solutions of the highest quality. © 2016 The Author(s).
About the journal
JournalNature Communications
PublisherNature Publishing Group
ISSN20411723