"Gamers Aid Biomedical Research by Reconstructing Microbial Evolution"

4.5 million gamers worldwide have contributed to advancing biomedical research by playing a minigame within the video game Borderlands 3, helping to reconstruct microbial evolutionary histories and refine estimates of relationships among gut microbes. This collaboration has significantly improved our understanding of the microbiome and enhanced AI programs for future research. The project, led by McGill University researchers in collaboration with gaming company Gearbox Entertainment and MMOS, demonstrates the potential for leveraging video game technology to make substantial scientific advancements.