Determining crystal structures through crowdsourcing and coursework

Scott Horowitz (), Brian Koepnick, Raoul Martin, Agnes Tymieniecki, Amanda A. Winburn, Seth Cooper, Jeff Flatten, David S. Rogawski, Nicole M. Koropatkin, Tsinatkeab T. Hailu, Neha Jain, Philipp Koldewey, Logan S. Ahlstrom, Matthew R. Chapman, Andrew P. Sikkema, Meredith A. Skiba, Finn P. Maloney, Felix R. M. Beinlich, Zoran Popović, David Baker, Firas Khatib () and James C. A. Bardwell ()
Additional contact information
Scott Horowitz: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Brian Koepnick: University of Washington
Raoul Martin: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Agnes Tymieniecki: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Amanda A. Winburn: Center for Complex Networks and Systems Research, Indiana University
Seth Cooper: Northeastern University, College of Computer and Information Science
Jeff Flatten: Center for Game Science, University of Washington
David S. Rogawski: University of Michigan
Nicole M. Koropatkin: University of Michigan
Tsinatkeab T. Hailu: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Neha Jain: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Philipp Koldewey: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Logan S. Ahlstrom: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Matthew R. Chapman: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Andrew P. Sikkema: University of Michigan
Meredith A. Skiba: University of Michigan
Finn P. Maloney: Chemical Biology Doctoral Program, University of Michigan
Felix R. M. Beinlich: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan
Zoran Popović: Center for Game Science, University of Washington
David Baker: University of Washington
Firas Khatib: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
James C. A. Bardwell: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract We show here that computer game players can build high-quality crystal structures. Introduction of a new feature into the computer game Foldit allows players to build and real-space refine structures into electron density maps. To assess the usefulness of this feature, we held a crystallographic model-building competition between trained crystallographers, undergraduate students, Foldit players and automatic model-building algorithms. After removal of disordered residues, a team of Foldit players achieved the most accurate structure. Analysing the target protein of the competition, YPL067C, uncovered a new family of histidine triad proteins apparently involved in the prevention of amyloid toxicity. From this study, we conclude that crystallographers can utilize crowdsourcing to interpret electron density information and to produce structure solutions of the highest quality.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12549

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