Technology and medicine have intertwined in an attempt to solve one of the world’s most perplexing diseases that has transcended time and space. In the game “Play to Cure: Genes in Space,” the DNA faults that exist in cancer are manipulated and transformed into a virtual platform to allow nonscientists and players around the world to help find a cure for cancer. Cancer has become a general term that is used to refer to a variety of specific diseases that all stem from a rapid, abnormal, and uncontrollable growth of cells. This modern epidemic affects millions of people across the globe and can be caused by the presence of incorrect sequences in DNA. Typically when a cell is damaged its next step is to eradicate itself from the body. However, in cancer cells, the damaged DNA is replicated and passed onto even more cells that begin to rapidly reproduce and become tumors. These DNA faults that allow for the demise of a cell in addition to actual data from cancer samples worldwide are converted into a digital universe in which the map of the game represents real DNA microarray data.
The figures above depict the conversion of the DNA microarray data (the collection of microscopic DNA spots scattered throughout a solid surface) into the game’s interface. The gameplay involves setting up a route in the “route mapping section” which allows for players to help consider patterns that relate back to actual DNA faults that could be lying in plain sight.
The player then enters the realm of space and must avoid asteroids and collect element alpha while simultaneously entering octagon checkpoints throughout the game. These octagonal shaped checkpoints represent the kinks in the route originally created. Element alpha refers to the valuable of tradable item that represents actual cancer data that is analyzed by scientists but is now open to the public.
The purpose of the game is to create a way for millions of cancer samples to be analyzed efficiently and rapidly by opening up the platform to a greater audience than just scientists alone. No player needs to be well read in the division of cancer biology, and yet they can still contribute by playing the game. In essence, the poetic and ingenious underlying goal proposes a new approach to the field of science. The introduction of technology into cancer research has opened up the gates for new eyes to view old projects. Millions of people are affected by cancer and so logically speaking, the millions of samples should have millions of people analyzing them in hopes of finding a cure. Increasing the sample size of those who can provide a contribution eradicates the existing large human error that could stem from the same scientist having to look over thousands of cancer samples for hours on end with only one pair of eyes. I personally love the game and I enjoy playing it in my spare time. I have also told several of my friends and family members about it since beginning the Citizen Science project and the result is spreading the possibility of finding a cure. Overall, the conceptual theory behind the game is quite logical and the gameplay is entertaining while being productive all the while. This game is far from science fiction and yet brings light to the power that lies in combining human research and technology to allow for moving science forward.
