Project Discovery: Human Protein Atlas
What is Project Discovery
Project Discovery is a "citizen science", participation in scientific research by the lay community, project within EVE Online. A collaboration between CCP Games, Reyjavik University, the Human Protein Atlas, and Massively Multiplayer Online Science, it is used to characterize the structures of cells, using your identification skills, and will help scientists identify proteins within human cells. A brief tutorial and introduction to mechanics is present in the game.
In-game, the Sisters of EVE run Project Discovery for capsuleers to assist in identification of Drifter biological samples.
In addition to the above scientific participation and benefits, capsuleers also gain benefits within EVE Online. Each slide submitted results in a small amount of ISK - determined by your accuracy rating, with an accuracy of 50% conferring 50,000 ISK per slide, minus corporation tax - as well as Project Discovery-specific loyalty kredits with the Sisters of EVE.
Basic introduction
Why would I do it?
How does it help in RL?
Basic Mechanics
Project Discovery can be accessed using your NeoCom, under the Business tab. Beginning to use it is as simple as pressing this button, then this button and following the tutorial.
Its workflow consists of:
- Completing the Tutorial
- Presentation with a new slide
- Clicking on one or more cellular structure buttons, indicating you believe that the green stain is identifying those structures
- Submitting the Image
- Feedback (if enough other players have completed the slide; if not, no feedback will be available yet)
- Rewards: ISK, Project Discovery Experience Points, and Sisters of EVE Loyalty Kredits (not Loyalty Points)
What to Look For
The objective of Project Discovery slides is to identify what cellular structure(s) display a fluorescent green color. These can broadly be classified as within the nucleus, in the cell's cytoplasm, or even outside the cell in the periphery. If none of these are met, consider classifying the slide as not identifiable.
Most slides presented to players have 1-2 structures highlighted with fluorescent green, though it's possible that slides may have zero green structures or 3+ green structures.
Tip: Remember to focus on the fluorescent green color. Consider using the filters at the bottom of the image to hide red and/or blue to make identifying the green region easier.
This image demonstrates a capsuleer selected one element in the Nucleus and one element in the Cytoplasm; a majority of capsuleers agree with the cytoplasm structure choice - hence the green checkmark - but disagree with the nucleus structure choice - hence the red X.
What You Get Out of It
Upon submission of each slide, capsuleers are rewarded with ISK, Project Discovery experience, and Analysis Kredits.
The quantity of ISK and Project Discovery experience points are determined by the pilot's accuracy rating: at an accuracy rating of 50%, pilots will accumulate 50 EXP and 50,000 ISK per slide submitted.
Ranks are a method of quantifying the pilot's contribution to Project Discovery. Rank is increased by accumulating experience points.
Analysis Kredits may be spent at Sisters of EVE Loyalty Point stores, but they are not interchangeable with Loyalty Points. Instead, Analysis Kredits are used to purchase new Project Discovery -specific items including boosters and attire.
External Links
EVE Online: Project Discovery
Developer Blog Introducing Project Discovery
EVE Flight Academy Video by Professor Lundberg
