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Giant computer

One of the most challenging problems in molecular biology is to model how long chains of proteins fold into three-dimensional shapes. This is crucial because the shape of the protein has a lot to do with its action. Now computer giant IBM has announced a US $100 million initiative to build a supercomputer which would help researchers do this. The machine may allow bioogists to go from a gene related to a disease to the protein coded by the gene and this could lead to the discovery of new drugs ( Science, Vol 286, No 5448).

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