Folding@Home

The Folding@Home (F@H) project, in its’ basic form, is designed to use peoples computers from across the world to discover how proteins work with the aim of finding a cure for many of today’s fatal diseases.

Proteins form the basis of how biology gets things done. They work as enzymes, structural elements and antibodies. Before they can perform their important functions, they need to assemble themselves into specific shapes – otherwise known as ‘FOLDING’. If proteins do not fold correctly, it can create serious consequences.

For example:
• Alzheimer’s
• Mad cow (BSE)
• CJD
• Huntingdon’s
• Parkinson’s
• Some Cancers

The F@H project seeks to understand how proteins fold, when they misfold and the prevailing diseases. If we can learn about folding, it can teach scientists how to design similar proteins to do similar tasks.

Simulating the folding of proteins can be a lengthily process; F@H uses computers from around the world to download and run software, creating a supercomputer to help speed this process up. Since 1st October 2000, over 1 million computers have participated in the programme. So far the F@H project has been a success. Scientists have been able to simulate the folding of several small proteins.

They now want to expand this for more complex tasks. One of the main focus’ to date has been in relation to the medical conditions Alzheimer’s and Huntingdon’s.

At eShare we are dedicated to helping this programme to continue, and are currently in the top 18% of F@H teams. To read more about the project, or to get involved yourself, please follow the link below:

FOLDING@HOME