1.2e52 YEARS!?!?!??!

In class, we had a great discussion about algorithms with Dr. Zappala. We discussed various methods and ways we could use an algorithm to find a name in a directory, or order numbers. Because we can use a variety of senses and memory to sort out a handful of numbers, we sometimes overlook how truly complex the problem can be when written into a computer. For example...

If I have the random numbers 7-4-6-3-9, I can look at it and automatically arrange them into ascending order: 3-4-6-7-9! The simpleness is due to a couple of reasons. As I look at these numbers overall, I automatically see that '3' is the smallest, followed by '4'. In my head, I can save these slots and write them down. My algorithm is probably the same as a computer, which is, "find the lowest number, find the second lowest number, and so forth." Because I remember the numbers, I can move faster.

However, how do we write an algorithm this for a computer, which must scan the numbers as lists over and over. There are tricky methods where we can categorize the numbers, group the numbers, or just scan small segments at a time, but we have to figure out how to tell the computer to do that. My point is, it is not so efficient for the computer to scan "7-4-6-3-9" find 3, put it down in a list, then scan again "7-4-6-9" find that 4 is the smallest, put that after 3, then so forth.

So, just to get a sense of how complicated it is to write a good algorithm for a computer. Now, see how much it can help!

Human 

Cell

Protein

Our bodies are composed of cells, the functional basic unit of life.
Within every cell are biological macromolecules called proteins! Proteins are "chief actors" within the cells, functional basic unit of the cell, if you will.
There are millions of different types of protein, and all of them have specific functions, like
 - to recognize disease and viruses in your body
 - to move your muscles
 - to digest your food
 - to transport oxygen to your body
 - to keep you alive!
These proteins are what makes cells function the way they do!

So even smaller than the protein are the "blocks" that build the protein. These are amino acids. There are 20 of them, and each one behaves differently. Some amino acids are afraid of water. Some love it. Some are acidic. Some are basic. And depending on how they interact with each other within the protein will determine what the protein's structure is.

This is important because STRUCTURE helps us understand FUNCTION. Like a bike jump. Just look at that thing and you know what it's for...or like a door handle? a chair? We know what it is for because of structure.

Sorry, this is like a science class, but just to paint you a picture of complicated algorithms. Now, we have super computers that can take the amino acid sequence of a protein and predict the STRUCTURE, which will help us better understand FUNCTION, and LIFE!

So, if your protein has 150 amino acids, and can have 3 conformations each, 3^150= 3.7e71!!!!
Now, if you have a super computer that can test 1 conformation per picosecond, that would take
1.2e52 YEARS in order to test the correct conformations, in order to see which one makes most sense.




Kinda crazy, if you ask me. Go computer guys!