https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Darkcue 2026-04-17T09:13:31Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.30.0 https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=1430:_Proteins&diff=76754 2014-10-06T09:17:14Z

<p>Darkcue: make casual readers aware of some F@H problem</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 1430<br /> | date = October 6, 2014<br /> | title = Proteins<br /> | image = proteins.png<br /> | titletext = Check it out--when I tug the C-terminal tail, the binding tunnel squeezes!<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|More info on protein folding, expansion on F@H, explanaiton of the joke and title text.}}<br /> <br /> {{w|Protein folding}} is a mechanism exhibited by protein structures to assume a functional shape. If the folding sequence does not complete, or completes incorrectly, the resulting protein can be inactive or even toxic to the body. These misfolded proteins are responsible for certain allergies, and are believed to be the cause of several {{w|neurodegenerative}} and other diseases.<br /> <br /> {{w|Folding@Home}} (F@H) is a distrubuted computing project which aims to simulate protein folding for research purposes. Rather than the traditional model of using a supercomputer for computation, the project uses idle processing power of a network of personal computers in order to achieve massive computing power. Individuals can join the project by installing the F@H software, and are then able to track their contribution to the project. Individual members may join together as a team, with leaderboards measuring team and individual contributions.<br /> <br /> Please be aware that in old computers idle time was actually wasted. In modern computers, that is no longer true. If you donate computer time, you are actually donating money to the cause in the form of your electricty bill (which sounds more convenient than via credit card anyway)<br /> <br /> In origami, purists [[http://www.barf.cc/jeremy/origami/BOOK/essays/origami_purism/origami_purism.htm]] considered it as cheating if you cut the paper or use more than one sheet of paper.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Cueball is talking with Megan]<br /> :Cueball: What do you do?<br /> :Megan: I make software that predicts how proteins will fold.<br /> :Cueball: Is that a hard problem?<br /> :Megan: Someone may someday find a harder one.<br /> :Cueball: Why is it so hard?<br /> :Megan: Have you ever made a folded paper crane?<br /> :Cueball: Yeah.<br /> :Megan: Imagine figuring out the folds to make an actual &lt;em&gt;living&lt;/em&gt; crane.<br /> :Cueball: ...&lt;em&gt;just&lt;/em&gt; folds? Can I make cuts?<br /> :Megan: If you can fold a protease enzyme.<br /> {{comic discussion}}</div>

Darkcue