Blood Infection Treatments to be Discovered Using Crowdsourcing [VIDEO]

 By 
Amanda Pittman
 on 
Blood Infection Treatments to be Discovered Using Crowdsourcing [VIDEO]

[brightcove video="1816854529001" /]

The creators of mobile game Foldit are bringing scientists together to cure sepsis, also known as "blood poisoning."

The condition causes one's entire body to be inflamed as a result of an infection. It is the immune system's response to bacteria in various tissues and fluids throughout the body. Sepsis occurs upwards of 100 million times a year and can be fatal.

Foldit presents users with a simulated structure of a protein. The player is then tasked to "fold" the protein -- effectually rearranging the shape of it, to create a unique, but stable result. When a new shape has been created, it is sent to researchers to be analyzed. If it is found to stable, it may provide researchers with insight into a possible treatment for those who suffer from sepsis.

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