Distributed computing project targets avian influenza
A screen saver simulates the binding of drug molecules with proteins in the flu
April 13, 2006 12:00 PM ETIDG News Service - A research institute is harnessing the power of thousands of computers over the Internet to investigate potential drug treatments for deadly avian influenza.
The Rothberg Institute for Childhood Diseases in Guilford, Conn., said today that it had detailed the first mission for volunteers participating in the distributed computing project.
Volunteers download a screen-saver program that simulates the binding of drug molecules with proteins -- referred to as "targets" -- in avian flu, the institute said.
The screen saver, which is visible in a computer's program tray, kicks in when the computer is idle, the institute said. The institute likens the process to hunting through a batch of keys -- meaning the drugs -- to find the right one that fits a protein in the virus.
The results are sent back to the Rothberg Institute when the computer is connected to the Internet.
The institute said distributed computing allows for the deployment of new targets to tens of thousands of computers running the program, collectively called the Drug Design and Optimization Lab (D2OL), within minutes.
The institute said 80,000 volunteers in 93 countries are participating in the project so far.
The institute said the first avian flu target is the H5N1 neuraminidase, which aids in the spread of the disease. Avian Influenza A, also known as H5N1, is the most dangerous one that humans have contracted so far, the institute said.
Officials fear that H5N1 is the one most likely to mutate into a form that humans could contract more easily. So far, human-to-human infections have been rare, the institute said.
Governments have ordered widespread culls of chickens in Europe and Asia to halt the spread, but it's believed migrating birds have brought the disease to new areas.
Reprinted with permission from
Story copyright 2009 International Data Group. All rights reserved.
Data Mining
Additional Resources



White Papers & Webcasts
Data Grids & SOA
Get this paper now!
Key Strategies for Managing Data Growth
What are you storage challenges?
Upgrading to VMware vSphere with vWire
Download it today!
Extending Client Refresh - 11 Steps to Maximize Savings
Register Now!
Removing Barriers To Better Server Virtualization Efficiency
For more information download it today!
Lower the Cost and Complexity of a Mobile Workforce through Automation
Download This Resource Now!
Data Manager Report Excerpt: File System Inventory
Cut storage costs and boost operational efficiencies.
Managing Mobility: Improve Data Security, Compliance and Manageability
Download This Resource Now!
Reducing Storage Costs with F5 ARX
Save money- deploy ARX Solutions.
Consolidate Your Servers and Storage to Lower Costs with Oracle Database 11g
Register for this webcast!

