Borderlands 3 Players Propel Microbiome Research Forward

A collaborative effort involving 4.5 million gamers has led to significant advancements in understanding microbial evolution.

4.5 million players of Borderlands 3 contributed to scientific research by playing the Borderlands Science mini-game, aiding in the study of microbial evolution.
The project, led by McGill University, utilized in-game tasks to surpass the capabilities of existing AI in mapping microbial DNA sequences.
Researchers have gathered extensive data, improving our understanding of microbes related to health and disease.
The success of this citizen science initiative demonstrates the potential of integrating research into popular video games.
The findings contribute to a broader understanding of the human microbiome, with implications for diet, aging, and various diseases.