Appliance of Gaming Technology in Life Sciences
In a relatively short period, the gaming industry has evolved from near obscurity to a major industry. The gaming industry in the Netherlands has increased tenfold since 2002 and forms a rich and vibrant part of the Utrecht economy. In recent years the gaming industry has become more and more involved in other industries; the industry is bridging multiple worlds. Gaming technology is being used amongst others for defence, architecture, education and Life Sciences.
In Utrecht, the gaming capital of Europe, the appliance of gaming technology in life sciences is being put to serious use. An example includes the computer game Air Medic Sky 1, a video game that provides young doctors with new techniques to enhance their performance. The game is developed by the University Medical Centre (UMC) Utrecht and won the prize for best serious game of 2011 at the Serious Play Conference in Washington.
In the article “The play’s the thing” , the Economist of December 10th 2011, another good example is being given of the importance of the use of gaming technology in Life Sciences, more specifically molecular biology and the quest to understand the way in which proteins fold:
“Proteins are complicated chemicals made of long chains of amino acids, the tiny chemical building blocks of life. ... Badly folded proteins are implicated in various forms of cancer as well as neurological diseases. Computers can recognise a well-folded protein when presented with one, but actually finding it calls for the sort of pattern recognition and lateral thinking that they struggle with. Scientists have tried to deal with the problem by using enormous computing power to sift systematically through billions of possible configurations. But in 2008 a team from the University of Washington tried a different approach. They released a program called “Foldit” that turned protein-folding into a free online puzzle game. Players are presented with a protein and given the task of finding its most energy-efficient shape by fiddling with its structure. A better shape means a higher score; dramatic progress is rewarded with lots of extra points, pleasing sound effects and a little shower of virtual streamers. The controls are simple and intuitive, and there are friendly tutorials to tell novices what to do. Online leader boards let players compare solutions to foster competition.
By turning their problem into a game, the scientists have harnessed thousands of human brains without specialist knowledge to work on protein-folding… “Foldit” and its 46,000-plus users have already made serious contributions to biology. A paper published in the September issue of Nature Structural and Molecular Biology shows that “Foldit” players were better than any computer algorithm at modelling the structure of a protein used by retroviruses such as HIV, which causes AIDS”
For more information on life sciences and gaming technology contact jan@investinutrecht.com
In Utrecht, the gaming capital of Europe, the appliance of gaming technology in life sciences is being put to serious use. An example includes the computer game Air Medic Sky 1, a video game that provides young doctors with new techniques to enhance their performance. The game is developed by the University Medical Centre (UMC) Utrecht and won the prize for best serious game of 2011 at the Serious Play Conference in Washington.
In the article “The play’s the thing” , the Economist of December 10th 2011, another good example is being given of the importance of the use of gaming technology in Life Sciences, more specifically molecular biology and the quest to understand the way in which proteins fold:
“Proteins are complicated chemicals made of long chains of amino acids, the tiny chemical building blocks of life. ... Badly folded proteins are implicated in various forms of cancer as well as neurological diseases. Computers can recognise a well-folded protein when presented with one, but actually finding it calls for the sort of pattern recognition and lateral thinking that they struggle with. Scientists have tried to deal with the problem by using enormous computing power to sift systematically through billions of possible configurations. But in 2008 a team from the University of Washington tried a different approach. They released a program called “Foldit” that turned protein-folding into a free online puzzle game. Players are presented with a protein and given the task of finding its most energy-efficient shape by fiddling with its structure. A better shape means a higher score; dramatic progress is rewarded with lots of extra points, pleasing sound effects and a little shower of virtual streamers. The controls are simple and intuitive, and there are friendly tutorials to tell novices what to do. Online leader boards let players compare solutions to foster competition.
By turning their problem into a game, the scientists have harnessed thousands of human brains without specialist knowledge to work on protein-folding… “Foldit” and its 46,000-plus users have already made serious contributions to biology. A paper published in the September issue of Nature Structural and Molecular Biology shows that “Foldit” players were better than any computer algorithm at modelling the structure of a protein used by retroviruses such as HIV, which causes AIDS”
For more information on life sciences and gaming technology contact jan@investinutrecht.com
More news
- Utrecht most attractive business destination 7-3-2012 14:07
- Utrecht belongs to the top of European cities of the future 29-2-2012 16:05
- Utrecht has the lowest unemployment rate among the four largest Dutch cities 29-2-2012 10:20
- Changes 30% ruling 24-2-2012 08:14
- The Netherlands ranks one of the fittest countries in Europe 18-2-2012 14:19
- Amersfoort wins city marketing innovation award 2012 3-2-2012 15:42
- Netherlands ranks third best country for work-life balance in OECD report 3-2-2012 13:39
- Strong growth Utrecht science Park 3-2-2012 12:55
- Pilot for short stay knowledge migrants & new salary criteria for knowledge migrants in 2012 24-1-2012 13:52
- Appliance of Gaming Technology in Life Sciences 24-1-2012 13:32
- Research & Development Allowance, change of the 30% ruling and new tax treaties 24-1-2012 12:40
- International School Utrecht starts 2012 24-1-2012 12:20
- Double Tax Treaty between Hong Kong and The Netherlands 6-1-2012 14:47
- Social Security Agreement between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of India 6-1-2012 13:09
- Utrecht region favourable climate new business 17-11-2011 10:14
- Berlin might adopt Utrecht Beer Boat 10-11-2011 14:12
- Utrecht City of the Year EU competition 9-11-2011 06:41
- Utrecht International school starts 2012 8-11-2011 22:35
- TEDxHU event 3-11-2011 10:39
- Golf tournament for our Japanese relations – October 29, 2011 30-10-2011 00:00
- National Children's Oncology Center in Utrecht 13-10-2011 13:25
- Utrecht University highest placed Dutch University 6-10-2011 11:01
- EU boosts vaccine research with €30 Million 3-10-2011 15:24
- Princess Máxima opens TERI in Utrecht 3-10-2011 13:41
- Dutch Tax alert 2012 27-9-2011 10:31
- Dutch Film Festival 2011 in Utrecht 20-9-2011 11:49
- Winner Utrecht University Ad Contest 16-9-2011 20:37
- MSC experience setting up business in Utrecht 1-9-2011 10:25
- Utrecht most innovative province 31-8-2011 08:40
- Air Medic Sky One wins Serious Play Award 29-8-2011 15:44
- In the picture: VMware 22-8-2011 15:32
- Dutch Game Awards 2011 21-8-2011 12:06
- Nyenrode China Seminars 2011 16-8-2011 09:32
- Utrecht University rises in top 50 Worlds Best Research Universities 15-8-2011 15:26
- Record number of dead porpoise: Utrecht University investigates 11-8-2011 09:59
- Conference Funding for Gaming Companies 5-8-2011 12:55
- Netherlands ranks first US FDI 4-8-2011 09:04
- Lodestone opens office in Utrecht 14-7-2011 10:13
- GreenCab opens EU biggest electric charging station 27-6-2011 11:53
- TNO develops processes that ensure protein functionality 23-6-2011 08:36
- Synergising Business with Life Sciences 21-6-2011 14:30
- RIVM relocates to Utrecht Science Park 16-6-2011 09:48
- Chinese visitors solar village Nieuwland 15-6-2011 11:07
- Herman Wijffels: Utrecht pilot area sustainable development 14-6-2011 08:45
- Holland Pavillion at Gamescom Cologne 7-6-2011 11:00
- Why Heinz chose Zeist for EU Supply Chain Center 1-6-2011 16:30
- Opening Dutch Game Garden and Indigo 2011 31-5-2011 09:20
- New jobs Heinz in Zeist, Utrecht 26-5-2011 15:57
- Newsletter 2 16-5-2011 11:01
- Expats: 30% tax ruling 12-5-2011 07:35
- International Banking: SEPA 12-5-2011 07:32
- Market study Dutch Games Industry 10-5-2011 14:27
- Game designer legend Al Lowe at Festival of Games 19-4-2011 14:11
- Dutch Business opportunities with government investing in priority sectors 19-4-2011 14:01
- Thuja Capital healthcare initiates first clinical study 14-4-2011 13:22
- Call for Dutch Life Sciences companies to present at Bio Washington 5-4-2011 10:20
- Festival of Games 28-29 April 2011 4-4-2011 10:19
- Invest Utrecht at Biopharma Asia 2-4-2011 07:25
- First Dutch Hybrid OR in Utrecht 30-3-2011 07:36
- Masterclass Succesful doing business in Holland for Asian companies 29-3-2011 13:24
- China Times article Turnkey Design 24-3-2011 10:49
- China Times article Utrecht Science Park 24-3-2011 08:38
- Support letter Japanese community Province Utrecht 22-3-2011 12:53
- The Netherlands attractive location for pharmaceutical companies 21-3-2011 15:22
- Hong Kong workshop on Dutch GreenCab 21-3-2011 11:58
- Substantial foreign investment activity 2010 in The Netherlands 17-3-2011 10:48
- Grant awarded SLIM Initiative 15-3-2011 14:38
- Game Developers Conference 2011 12-3-2011 07:40
- Trimont Real Estate Advisors launched in Leusden 7-3-2011 10:56
- Pantarhei Bioscience to take over Organon Women's Health 5-3-2011 22:36
- Utrecht newcomer Nichifu 28-2-2011 14:38
- European Investment in Dutch Gaming 22-2-2011 18:50
- Utrecht newcomer Isotx 17-2-2011 14:23
- Utrecht Expat Desk & Utrecht International School 17-2-2011 14:09
- R&D Tax Incentives 17-2-2011 11:45
- Utrecht candidate European Capital of Culture 2018 16-2-2011 21:13
- Utrecht Life Sciences project kicks off 7-2-2011 10:37
- Utrecht University awards two honorary doctorates Sustainability 3-2-2011 14:15
- Brussels considers bold plan to finance start-ups 2-2-2011 14:21
- Holland offers highly competitive fiscal climate 24-1-2011 13:45
- Update Foreign Investment Guide 20-1-2011 14:18
- Green light to Utrecht Electric Taxi 19-1-2011 09:27
- Remco van Lunteren about Utrecht Science Park 13-1-2011 14:15
- Part-time lawyer with career perspective 13-1-2011 13:18
- Bioceros awarded Eurostars grant 12-1-2011 13:55
- Opportunities for foreign investors Netherlands 2011 7-1-2011 10:34
- Seasons Greetings 2010 18-12-2010 16:18
- EP & C new office in Utrecht 2-12-2010 11:03
- Dutch Economic growth 1.8% in third quarter 2010 2-12-2010 09:13
- Network Gathering for Japanese companies Province Utrecht 19-11-2010 10:07
- Holland leads in Nutrition 17-11-2010 10:48
- Utrecht Gaming Capital Benelux 9-11-2010 11:02
- World Trade Centre Amersfoort 3-11-2010 13:41
- Dentaid establishes new European headquarter Houten 2-11-2010 11:07
- Indian climate researcher Kumar appointed Prince Claus Chair 1-11-2010 11:10
- Artemis Wildlife Health at Utrecht Science Park 21-10-2010 09:47
- Design Center Goodbaby in Utrecht 14-10-2010 10:19
- Utrecht gateway to Europe for Indian companies 13-10-2010 13:08
- Land purchased for new Danone branch on Utrecht Science Park 12-10-2010 09:51
- Utrecht most competitive EU Region 11-10-2010 08:48
Population: 1.2 million