In a world increasingly aware of microbial threats, understanding the tiny organisms that surround us has never been more important. But what if we could better understand these microbes through the power of video games?
The D2R-funded project, "A citizen science platform for accelerating metagenomic studies in urban built environments," led by 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Professor, J茅r么me Waldisp眉hl, in collaboration with Professor Rees Kassen, is changing our understanding of microbes by combining scientific research with the power of video games.
The microbial world beneath our feet
Prof. Kassen, a biologist and leader of the CUBE (Coronavirus in the Urban Built Environment) initiative explains 鈥淢icrobes are around us all the time. We rarely know that they're there except when things go bad 鈥� when we get an infection.鈥� His team focuses on mapping microbes in congregate settings (places where people tend to gather), such as hospitals, where viruses like COVID-19 can settle on surfaces. "Floors act like sinks" Kassen explains. His research has demonstrated that swabbing surfaces like floors and analyzing the microbial materials could predict viral outbreaks in long-term care homes up to a week in advance. This ability to predict outbreaks before they spread is a game-changer for real-time public health surveillance.
However, one of the main significant challenges in microbial research is the massive volume of genetic data that needs to be analyzed in a short amount of time.
Gamifying science to tackle data overload
To address this, Prof. Waldisp眉hl combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human creativity. "AI has limitations because they are implemented on computers [鈥 humans, by contrast, are much slower, but much more creative and flexible" he explains. By engaging players through video games to solve puzzles based on DNA sequencing, the project taps into the creativity of millions, helping to identify identify errors that computers might miss, improving the accuracy of genomic data.
In the first phase of the project, Waldisp眉hl partnered with several key figures to bring this idea to life. Attila Szantner, an adjunct professor in McGill鈥檚 School of Computer Science and the CEO and co-founder of Massively Multiplayer Online Science (MMOS) and Randy Pitchford, President of The Gearbox Entertainment Company, played pivotal roles in creating and embedding a 鈥渕ini science game鈥� into Borderlands 3, one of the world鈥檚 most popular video games. Over 5 million players participated in this mini game, where they solved more than 150 million puzzles resembling Tetris, and the data collected helped to build a phylogenetic tree of the human gut microbes. This combination of human input and AI creates a cycle that refines data, making the results more accurate and enhancing scientific analysis.
Encouraged by the success of the first phase, the project is now expanding into mobile applications, engaging even more players in this citizen science initiative.
A vision of inclusivity and scientific engagement
For Prof. Waldisp眉hl, the project鈥檚 use of video games serves two purposes: advancing data analysis and making science accessible to everyone. "Science is not that complicated, and actually science is fun," Waldisp眉hl says. "And they [gamers] can find a purpose by doing it and enjoying it." By embedding citizen science into popular games, the project lowers the barriers to engage in science, allowing people to work on complex issues without the intimidating jargon often associated with research.
Gamers are not just solving puzzles鈥攖hey are actively contributing to the scientific understanding of microbes and their role in public health. "Putting science into the game lowers the barrier of entry. You鈥檒l never be afraid of a scientific problem because you know it's there to entertain you," says Waldisp眉hl.
From data to action
Ultimately, the goal of this research is not just to collect data, but to turn that data into actionable insights that improve health and safety. "If we can rapidly identify the pathogens present in a hospital or care home, we can help clinicians respond more effectively," says Prof. Kassen. "The hope is that there would be treatments if we know what it is we鈥檙e treating for."
By tapping into the power of citizen science, AI, and gaming, the team aims to enhance infection control measures and ensure that interventions are timely and effective.
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