A nanorobot which defends a single cell against dangers such as the AIDS virus or H1N1 is the main character of a video game about molecular biology that is being developed by the Universidad Santo Tomas, in Chile. Kokori, which means "collective game" in Rapanui (the language spoken in Easter Island), is one of six projects that won 2.3 million dollars in a contest about applying informative technology for educational purposes, organized by the National Commission of Scientific and Technological Research.
(Santiago) A nanorobot which defends a single cell against dangers such as the AIDS virus or H1N1 is the main character of a video game about molecular biology that is being developed by the Universidad Santo Tomas, in Chile.
Kokori, which means "collective game" in Rapanui (the language spoken in Easter Island), is one of six projects that won 2.3 million dollars in a contest about applying informative technology for educational purposes, organized by the National Commission of Scientific and Technological Research.
Of the six projects, Kokori, which uses information taught at the high school level Biology, won $424,000.
Virginia Garretón, director of the project, also mentioned that the cell would also face obstacles such as bacteria, which the nanorobot would have to fend off using antibiotics as weapons. Lack of nourishment or attacks from toxic compounds or carcinogens will also pose threats.
The structure and function of the cell would also be included in the game, as a response to suggestions from Biology teachers that were polled.
The game will be developed based on free distribution software for use on any platform (Linux, Windows, etc.) and will have little technological requirements.
!ADVERTISEMENT!
The 'gameplay' and 'usability' of Kokori and its contribution to learning will be tested by evaluating students in 70 schools at a high school level. Once it has been crash-tested the game will enjoy wide distribution to all of the seven regions of Chile by mid-2011, and will be also be available to play for free on the internet.
"We hope that the video game will motivate and get the player more interested in Biology, as well as all the processes present in everyday life that can also be explained through Biology, and of course that it will become a useful tool for teachers and professors," said Garretón.
Special thanks to Antonio Aquino for translation assistance. Information for this article was provided by Science and Development network: http://www.scidev.net/en/latin-america-and-caribbean/news/chilean-team-develops-biology-videogame-.html
