Voices of Discovery: Seth Cooper discusses using game design to solve real-world problems
Voices of Discovery: Seth Cooper discusses using game design to solve real-world problems
Voices of Discovery: Seth Cooper discusses using game design to solve real-world problems
By Olivia Grady
November 9, 2023
Summary
Scientific discovery games could be the stepping stone to creating medical breakthroughs, according to Cooper, an associate professor of computer science at Northeastern University.
Associate Professor Seth Cooper from Northeastern University's Khoury College of Computer Sciences is helping shift those perceptions.
During a lecture at Elon on Monday, Nov. 6 as part of the Voices of Discovery series, Cooper discussed video games and their potential for scientific discoveries.
More specifically, he discussed the game he co-created, "Foldit", which has players participate in an online, 3D puzzle game for protein folding.
Players predict the protein's structure and high scorers in the past have assisted in biological breakthroughs, such as the correct structure of a monkey protease involved in determining simian AIDS. "His work represents the epitome of interdisciplinary engagement, merging the lines between entertainment, science, and social contribution," said Mohammed Al Fadaam '23, president of Elon's Game Design Club.
The idea for the game began with the simple visualization of how the structure of amino acids fold into proteins.
Cooper thought people could eventually become good at predicting these structures if they were given the chance to solve them through interactive platforms, like a 3D puzzle.
Reference
Grady , O. (2023, November 9). Voices of discovery: Seth Cooper discusses using game design to solve real-world problems . Today at Elon. https://www.elon.edu/u/news/2023/11/09/voices-of-discovery-seth-cooper-discusses-using-game-design-to-solve-real-world-problems/