DEGRADATOR Game Wins 3rd Place at International Educational Games Competition
DEGRADATOR, an innovative computer game that merges education with entertainment in the field of molecular biology, has been awarded 3rd place in the 12th International Educational Games Competition in the fully developed games category. The competition was part of the 18th European Conference on Games Based Learning (ECGBL 2024), held from October 2–5 at Aarhus University in Denmark.
Developed under the leadership of Natalia Szulc, a scientist specializing in protein metabolism and a PhD student at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, DEGRADATOR aims to demystify the complex processes of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and targeted protein degradation therapies. The game places players in the role of an E3 ubiquitin ligase—an essential enzyme responsible for tagging proteins for degradation—providing an engaging, hands-on experience in cellular processes.
“In an era where misinformation is rampant, especially concerning advanced medical treatments, it’s crucial to make scientific knowledge accessible and engaging,” said Natalia Szulc. “DEGRADATOR is designed for individuals aged 12 and above, blending educational content with entertainment to make complex concepts both comprehensible and captivating.”
The game challenges players with dynamic scenarios and quizzes, guiding them through the intricacies of protein homeostasis and the role of PROteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) in targeted protein degradation therapies. Accompanied by extensive educational resources, DEGRADATOR enhances learning experiences and addresses a wide array of learning needs, as proven by the results of a survey conducted on a group of 97 high school students.
The recognition at the ECGBL 2024 conference confirms the educational value of the game and its potential impact on both the scientific community and the general public. Driven by the mission of unrestricted knowledge promotion, the developers of the game provide free and unrestricted access to the gameplay and additional materials at: https://degradator-game.com.
This educational computer game was funded in Poland in part by the Polish State Budget, under the Ministry of Education and Science program entitled the Social Responsibility of Science – grant number SONP/SP/546507/2022; funded amount: 101 706 PLN; total grant value: 115 756 PLN.
The participation in the 18th European Conference on Games Based Learning (ECGBL 2024) was funded by the RACE project ("RNA and Cell Biology - from Fundamental Research to Therapies").
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.