March 15, 2013 (Vol. 33, No. 6)

URL:
http://eyewire.org

Rating:
Strong Points: Good user interface, nice tutorial
Weak Points: Wiki page still under construction

Summary:

If you enjoy playing puzzle games on your computer, then might I suggest EyeWire, a puzzle-meets-coloring book online game that simultaneously provides the opportunity to contribute to science! The brainchild of the Seung neuroscience laboratory at MIT, EyeWire teaches its players how to trace neuronal projections through 3D reconstructions of the retina. In this, the human players “spot check” computer algorithms used by the laboratory to perform the same task, with the ultimate goal of obtaining a clearer picture of the retinal connectome. The EyeWire website contains links to a Wiki page that provides background to the project, a forum, and a blog. The game is equipped with an extensive tutorial and a nice user interface. EyeWire is challenging and fun, and one’s time spent playing it certainly goes toward a worthy cause!

Previous articleGrowing Proteins, 240 Miles Above Earth
Next articlePoll Update: Whole Foods and GMO Labeling