Projects

FAQs

What is a dark protein?

Dark proteins are parts of biology we still don’t understand: proteins with no known structure or function. They’re the “missing maps” of life.

Who can participate?

Anyone curious about science: students, researchers, or complete beginners. No prior biology experience is required.

How do I get started?

Create a free account, open the app, and begin labeling 3D proteins through guided mini-tasks.

Yes! We host online workshops and interactive challenges for newcomers and classrooms.

Are there tutorials or workshops?

Is it free to use?

Yes, The Dark Protein Project is completely free and open-access. You’ll only need a browser.

Why does mapping them matter?

Understanding dark proteins can reveal new drug targets, enzymes, and disease pathways that traditional research has missed.

What does labeling a protein mean?

You’ll inspect a 3D model and tag regions that could be active sites or folds: your input helps train AI models that predict how proteins behave.

Who runs The Dark Protein Project?

We’re a global citizen-science effort led by students and researchers focused on making molecular discovery open to everyone.