Foldit Puzzles

1820: Coronavirus ORF8 Prediction

Fold this coronavirus protein! This protein is encoded in the viral genome of SARS-CoV-2, in a region called ORF8, but the protein's structure is still unknown. Evidence suggests this protein triggers a stress signal in the infected cell. If we knew how this protein folds, we might be able to figure out its exact function. The puzzle's starting structure shows SS predictions from PSIPRED, and hints which parts of the protein might fold into helices or sheets. Refold this protein to find high-scoring solutions, which will tell us how this protein is most likely to fold!

1819: Revisiting Puzzle 110: Turkey

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This is a portion of a troponin protein found in the skeletal muscle of turkeys. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been and to provide newer players with puzzles that are still scientifically relevant.

1818: Coronavirus Binder Design: Round 5

Design a binder against coronavirus! We're challenging players to design an antiviral protein that could bind to the 2019 coronavirus spike protein and disrupt viral infection. The starting structure is a solution designed by spvincent in our previous Round 2 puzzle. This solution makes an excellent interface with the target, but we're concerned that the binder may not fold properly. Our predictions suggest that the two sheets in this solution will not fold up as designed. We're asking Foldit players to try and improve this design so that it folds up correctly and can bind to the target! Players also have freedom to redesign an entirely new solution from scratch.

1817: Coronavirus ORF6 Prediction

Refold this coronavirus protein! This protein is encoded in the viral genome of SARS-CoV-2, in a region called ORF6, but the protein's structure is still unknown. Evidence suggests this protein inhibits the natural immune response, helping the virus survive and replicate. If we knew how this protein folds, we might be able to figure out exactly how it inhibits the immune system. The puzzle's starting structure shows SS predictions from PSIPRED, and hints which parts of the protein might fold into helices or sheets. Refold this protein to find high-scoring solutions, which will tell us how this protein is most likely to fold!

1816: Revisiting Puzzle 109: Pumpkin

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This is a trypsin inhibitor in pumpkins. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been and to provide newer players with puzzles that are still scientifically relevant. Players will NOT be able to load in any previous solutions for these puzzles.

1815: Symmetric Trimer Design: H-bond Networks

Design a symmetric protein trimer, with 3 identical chains that assemble together! The H-bond Network Objective encourages players to bury satisfied H-bond networks at the interface between symmetric chains. H-bond networks are a great way to introduce polar residues at the interface, but it's important that all of the bondable atoms make hydrogen bonds! In this puzzle, there are no limits on the Complex Core, but we've included the Complex Core objective so players can see the core residues that can be incorporated into H-bond Networks.

1814: Coronavirus Binder Design: Round 4

Note: This puzzle was closed early due to an error in the puzzle setup that allowed the frozen helix to move. The puzzle has been reposted as Puzzle 1814b. Players may load solutions from this puzzle into the reposted version.

1814b: Coronavirus Binder Design: Round 4

Note: This puzzle was closed early and reposted as Puzzle 1814c, with greater flexibility at the ends of the frozen binding helix. Players may load solutions from this puzzle into the reposted version.

1814c: Coronavirus Binder Design: Round 4

Note: This puzzle replaces Puzzle 1814b, with changes that should make it easier to build Ideal Loops around the frozen binding helix. Players may load in solutions that were saved in the original Puzzle 1814 or 1814b.

1813: Revisiting Puzzle 97: Pig

This is a throwback puzzle to the early days of Foldit. This saposin protein from pig serves as an activator for lipid-desolving enzymes. This protein contains six cysteines that oxidize to form three disulfide bonds. We are revisiting old Foldit puzzles so we can see how useful the recent additions to the game have been and to provide newer players with puzzles that are still scientifically relevant.