Virtual Super Computing Cracks Protein Model for Cancer
Using 239,000 private computers located in homes across the world, scientists have formed an accurate model of how Src Kinase folds, the protein associated with growing cancerous tumors. The private computer network, a virtual super computer known in computer science as a distributed computational platform, operated under the Stanford University program called Folding@Home generated over 33 petaflops of computing power to produce the first ever model of the target cancer protein. http://txchnologist.com/post/80690503190/200-000-computers-tapped-to-crack-cancer-protein
The model of Src Kinase protein had never been made before due to the complexity of computations that required hundreds of hours of expensive computer access. Volunteers provided online access to their private computers during times of non-use, as an alternative to unavailable or unaffordable computer resources. https://folding.stanford.edu
Analysts at HFS say that future science breakthroughs will likely depend more heavily on private resources, as has been discussed by HFS analysts in other articles. Nonetheless, use of private but sleeping systems appears to offer a novel way to fund expensive computer time through private donation. These analysts wonder aloud whether such donations might be tax deductible for some people.
What do you think?
