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Calling All Gamers
05 March 2014

Calling All Gamers

Cancer Research UK has just unveiled a world first for analysing data from tumours. It’s a free smartphone game called ‘Genes in Space’ in which players fly their spaceship through trails of ‘Element Alpha’. The clever part is that Element Alpha represents actual genetic microarray data. As the spaceship journeys through the game it provides the vital information – showing if parts of the DNA have been deleted or copied. Both of these changes can contribute to the development and progression of cancer. Compared to a computer the human eye is far better at analysing microarray data, but it would take scientists years to go through all the available information. By harnessing the power of ‘citizen scientists’ researchers can trawl through huge volumes of data much faster, hopefully moving towards a cure for cancer sooner.

Written by Rhiannon Grant

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.