Solve the puzzles by connecting the strands of molecules. DNA has four main building blocks (nucleobases): guanine, adenine, cytosine, and thymine. These four building blocks are represented in the game as recognizable symbols.

Use the grooved conveyor belts to scroll through the RNA sequences and connect the correct substances. To make a connection, drag a symbol from the top chain to a matching shape on the bottom chain.

The connection between the building blocks is elastic, but cannot be stretched indefinitely. If you stretch the bond too far, a lock will appear over the symbols. You also cannot cross the connections in the RNA strand.

Some connections are worth more points than others. Also, you will not be able to connect all the symbols together, so look for the connections that score the most points on the display (top right). Then tap the green check mark in the top right corner.

DNA forms the blueprint of our body. In order for cells to grow, this blueprint must be “read”. Your DNA splits into messenger RNA and microRNA.

The messenger RNA can then be “read” and is “translated” into a chain of amino acids. When microRNA binds to messenger RNA, this information cannot be read.

In a healthy cell, there is a balance between messenger RNA and microRNA. Lymphoma disrupts this balance and deactivates the microRNA. This causes the cell to grow in an unhealthy way.

 

Scientists have found a way to make microRNA in the lab. But of course, they can’t just inject it into cells to stop the unhealthy growth. First, they need to study exactly where this microRNA can bind to the messenger RNA.

How does this help the researchers with cancer research?
Players can help them with this task! Computer algorithms can’t find these binding sites, but players are much better at coming up with creative solutions than the computer!

While playing this fun puzzle game, players are actually searching a gene for possible binding sites!

If many players get a high score in certain parts of the game, it helps the scientists at UMCG find the most promising binding sites!

So by playing this game, you’re making a real contribution to research and helping the UMCG team develop a real medicine!

Who developed Unmask Lymphoma?
Unmask Lymphoma was developed by Games for Health in collaboration with scientists at the University Medical Centre Groningen in the Netherlands.