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I have a platform that isn't supported by World Community Grid. Could I get a copy of the research application code and compile it myself?

No. The code has to remain in the control of the World Community Grid support team. Even the slightest change in the code, including using a different compiler, could render the research results useless. In addition, the license agreement that we have with the researchers for their code stipulate that only the World Community Grid support team can touch the source code. The source code usually differs slightly from potential public versions of the same code due to changes made for use with the specific grid project. Furthermore, we typically run many tests to make certain there are no problems on a given platform.

How might the data generated on this project be useful to researchers?

The project's structure and function predictions for each of the proteins encoded by each unique gene in the human gut microbiome will be made available as an online resource for researchers interested in furthering the impact of this project.

Knowledge about gene function is critical for understanding not only which bacteria live in a specific environment, but what they actually do. By compiling their function predictions, the research team will greatly enhance the repertoire of annotated genes, and therefore help other researchers to better understand what specific microbes or communities of microbes are doing.

Additionally, the researchers aim to design small molecules (i.e. drug candidates) which inhibit harmful interactions between microbial and human proteins in Type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. Designing an effective drug is an extremely complicated and laborious process, so through scientific publications the research team will encourage other researchers to investigate those molecules further and open up avenues for entirely new therapeutics.