FightAIDS@Home
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FightAIDS@Home ("Fight AIDS at home") is a distributed computing project for Internet-connected home computers, operated by the Olson Laboratory at The Scripps Research Institute. It aims to use biomedical software simulation techniques to search for ways to cure or prevent the spread of AIDS and HIV.
It was originally implemented using a distributed computing software infrastructure provided by Entropia, but since May 2003 has no longer been associated with Entropia.
FightAIDS@Home merged in the World Community Grid (WCG) project on November 15, 2005, allowing it to expand its computational power. The Olson Laboratory has asked its member to migrate to WCG.
[edit] How it works
Like every BOINC project, FightAIDS@home generates work units (or WU's), which are assigned to one volunteer's computer until they have been completed. Each WU holds the data of one drug molecule, out of millions of possible molecules that could be used in treating HIV and AIDS. The WU is analysed using a piece of Software called Autodock, which tests how well it fits the HIV-1 Protease. After each WU is completed by a volunteer's computer, the results are sent back to Scripps via the WCG for further analysis. Volunteers can be part of teams or can function independently. For each completed WU, the team and volunteer receive points.
