Genomics in gaming

Inspiring game developers using genomics research

Bringing researchers together with game developers inspires new ideas and different approaches. We work with our colleagues at Wellcome to provide opportunities for scientists to explore how video games and virtual reality can be used to engage audiences with their research.

Collider and Make Something Unreal Live were workshops that encouraged scientists to develop new games inspired by genomics research. Scientists had to explain the intricacies of their research and then create entertaining ways to bring them to life through gaming. As a result of the Big Data VR Challenge researcher Martin Hemberg and Hammerhead VR have been exploring how virtual reality could be used to enable researchers to better visualise and analyse vast amounts of genomic data.

Partnering scientists with developers encourages both to think about different approaches to their work and come up with creative solutions to problems.