Your PC and graphics card have a lot of power and you want to do something useful with them? Then let him research the new coronavirus!

Gaming PCs in particular are well suited to contributing to research into the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 due to powerful graphics cards. A simple program is enough!

[mk_ad]

Folding@Home

The program , which has been running since 2000 and was launched by Stanford University, is a project distributed to computers over the Internet in which the users' computers fold proteins. Sequences of amino acids adopt their final spatial structure through folding in order to be able to fulfill their protein function.

However, these complex folds can lead to errors in the body, which are visible in diseases such as Alzheimer's, BSE and cancer. The aim of the project is to understand these folds in order to be able to use the findings to develop remedies.

In the past, only the CPU of a computer was used for calculations, but now the often very powerful GPU, i.e. the graphics card, is also used. It can be downloaded here for Windows, macOS and Linus .

Project SARS-CoV-2

In a blog entry , Folding@Home explains exactly what research is now being carried out. Accordingly, the program is now focused on developing a better understanding of how exactly the new coronavirus interacts with the human ACE2 receptor, which is required for viral entry into human host cells, and how researchers might be able to do so through development new therapeutic antibodies or small molecules that could disrupt their interaction.

In the coming days, new structural biology and biochemical data could help researchers around the world to better understand how SARS-CoV-2 works and to be able to develop vaccinations.

After installation

Installing the program is very simple, after which the program runs in the background and downloads the data from the server, calculates it, and then sends it back again. In the taskbar next to the clock there is the program's icon, which you can click on to make further settings, such as pausing it when playing a graphics-intensive game.

If you select “Web Control” by clicking on the taskbar icon, you can see what is currently being calculated. If you select “Any Disease” there, you will automatically work on one of the coronavirus projects.

The Web Control Menu from Folding@Home
The Web Control Menu from Folding@Home

[mk_ad]

Conclusion

Whether running permanently in the background or only when the PC is not being used: With Folding@Home, everyone can help ensure that there is a cure and a vaccination against the new coronavirus as soon as possible!

Cover image: The Folding@Home screensaver

Also interesting:


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )