Ordering DNA fragments to collaborate in cancer research
GENIGMA is a participatory scientific experiment to investigate the cancer genome in a collective way. By arranging the pieces (real DNA fragments), players will help to detect alterations in the genome of cancer cells. All pieces are unique and have an ordering relationship to each other, linked to their spatial position in the genome. The order of DNA fragments in healthy cells is known, but it is unknown how it has changed in cancer cells. The aim of the game is to obtain a genomic reference map of breast cancer. With this new basic research tool, the scientific community will be able to interpret their findings in the light of a more accurate "map", which will allow them to develop new therapeutic strategies.
The first #GenigmaChallenge started on 27 January 2022. Thanks to the participation of more than 44,000 people, the entire genome of the breast cancer cell line T47D has been mapped in just 139 days. In 20 weeks the players have found 181 regions of the genome with chromosomal alterations that will be the subject of detailed study in the coming months. The scientific team is currently analysing the more than 600,000 data collected and has prepared a set of sets of these altered regions to test how to analyse the order of the DNA fragments at higher resolution. From 17 June 2022 you can participate in the #ChallengeEureka and also collaborate with this research.
The game is available in English, Spanish, Catalan and Italian and can be played simultaneously and individually from anywhere in the world. No prior scientific knowledge is required to play. The game includes a collection of scientific cards, science pills with information of interest to the GENIGMA community.