Unmask Lymphoma Part 1: RNA Matching

Unmask Lymphoma Part 1: RNA Matching is a pattern matching puzzle game. This citizen science project was developed in collaboration with molecular biologists from the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands.

By solving pattern matching puzzles, you can support real scientists working to cure cancer. Biomedical researchers are looking to identify binding places for MicroRNA 150, and you can help them achieve this!

How to play Unmask Lymphoma Part 1: RNA Matching?

Solve the puzzles by connecting the strings of molecules that make up DNA. There are four basic building blocks, or main nucleobases: guanine, adenine, cytosine, and thymine. 

Each of these is represented as an easily recognisable icon. Use the ribbed conveyor belts to scroll through the strings of RNA and find matching shapes. If you find a match, drag the icon to the empty slot.

The bond between the building blocks is elastic, but it cannot be stretched too far. If the molecules are pulled too far apart, a lock will appear over the icons. You cannot cross the RNA string either. 

Some building blocks are worth more points than others, and not all of the sequences can be fully matched. Link and unlink the matching icons until you find a combination that yields a good score on the match meter (top right). Then, tap the green checkmark icon in the top right corner.

How does playing Unmask Lymphoma help cancer research?

DNA makes up our body’s blueprint. For cells to grow, this blueprint needs to be ‘read’. Your DNA splits into two sequences, Messenger RNA and MicroRNA. The Messenger RNA can then be read, and amino acids can be assembled into proteins. When MicroRNA binds with Messenger RNA, this information cannot be read.

About The Research

In a healthy cell, there is a natural balance between Messenger RNA (mRNA) and MicroRNA (MiRNA). Lymphoma disrupts this balance by deactivating the MicroRNA, causing cells to grow in an unhealthy way.

Researchers have found a way to create MicroRNA in a lab. But they can’t just inject it into cells to stop this unhealthy growth. First, they need to fully understand where this MicroRNA can successfully bind with Messenger RNA.

How You Can Help

And that’s where you can help! Computer algorithms can’t identify these possible binding places. But you are much better at creative thinking! 

While playing this fun puzzle game, you are actually screening a gene for possible binding sites.

When lots of players identify high-scoring matches in certain parts of the sequence, this helps the scientists at the UMCG identify where to focus their efforts and find the most favorable binding sites!

So by playing this game you’re making a real contribution to medical research and supporting the scientists of the UMCG in their work to develop a cure for cancer! 

Who created Unmask Lymphoma?

Unmask Lymphoma was created by Games for Health and was developed in collaboration with biomedical researchers of the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG)

When was Unmask Lymphoma Part 1: RNA Matching first released?

This game was first released in May 2024.