Folding@Home and COVID-19
Lock downs getting you down?
Here's one way of tackling the issue with your PC!
You wanted to be a scientist but it was all too hard?
With Folding@Home it is easy, you don't need a PhD, be good at science and chemistry or be a maths whiz. Just install the F@h app on your device and instantly run simulations on a variety of diseases. You are doing science and helping all of us in the fight against disease. Yes, it is that simple!
Why is Broken Hill Hobbies and Electronics spruiking Folding@Home?
That is easy to answer. Quite simply, COVID-19. The virus that keeps on keeping on and mutates into even more highly infectious variants. This virus needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
Personally researching what I could learn about CV19, I came across Folding@home. This is a biological science project focused on disease research and prevention. The problems they’re solving require so many computer calculations and they need our help to find the cures!
Why should I use or install FAH?
By installing FAH you will be joining millions of people worldwide and assist in disease research. Also, you will become part of a network of computers that has more computing power than the top seven (7) super computers in the world, combined!
As a business we normally have a least one computer running 24/7 and obviously we, as humans, don't use that computer all the time. It is a no brainer to have that computer doing what it does best, computing, and whilst at idle what better way to do that than to assist in the research and fight against disease. You can do the same.
So what is Folding@Home?
Folding@home (FAH or F@h) is a distributed computing project for simulating protein dynamics, including the process of protein folding and the movements of proteins implicated in a variety of diseases. It brings together citizen scientists who volunteer to run simulations of protein dynamics on their personal computers. Insights from this data are helping scientists to better understand biology, and providing new opportunities for developing therapeutics.
But why Folding?
Folding refers to the way human protein folds in the cells that make up your body. We rely on the proteins to keep us healthy and they assemble themselves by folding. However, when they misfold, there can be serious consequences to a person’s health.
Covid19
Viruses have proteins just like us but they use their proteins to suppress our immune systems and to reproduce themselves. To help tackle coronavirus, F@h want to understand how these viral proteins work and how they can design therapeutics to stop them.
Fantastic, you'd like to help!
By far the most simpliest way, here's what you do. Donate computing power!
Downloading and help by running simulations is the primary way to contribute. These calculations are enormous and every little bit helps! Each simulation you run is like buying a lottery ticket. The more tickets we buy, the better our chances of hitting the jackpot. With such an enthusiastic response to their COVID-19 work F@h are sprinting to setup more simulations and the more simulations the quicker theraputics can be developed against this and other diseases. Every little bit of computing power goes a long way.
Other ways you can help can be found in the
You can also read and learn more about F@h at the website.
Become part of something big!
I encourage everyone to seriously consider installing the F@h app and donate their spare computing power. You can run the app Anonymously, with a User Name or as part of a Team.
I have taken it upon myself to create a team called:
First Heritage City Australia with the team number: 263585
Anyone interested is most welcome to join this team and together, we can make a difference.
Take care, stay safe and happy Folding,
Alwyn Bressanelli - Technical Services Manager
Broken Hill Hobbies and Electronics
23 April 2020