Peer-to-peer technology to serve as basis for cancer research

Intel Corp. and scientists are asking people to donate their computer power to aid in research.

By Tyler Chin, amednews staff. May 28, 2001.

Intel Corp. and prominent cancer researchers are launching an effort to create a "virtual supercomputer" by linking millions of computers over the Internet to find cures and improved treatments for cancer and other life-threatening conditions.

Under the initiative, called the Intel Philanthropic Peer-to-Peer Program, those who own PCs would allow participating researchers to tap unused disk space and processing power in their computers to solve problems that require massive computing power. The American Cancer Society, National Foundation for Cancer Research, University of Oxford and United Devices Inc., a technology company in Austin, Texas, are sponsoring the project along with Intel.

Intel, the leading seller of microprocessors that are the brains of a computer, plans to approach the AMA to get physicians to donate unused processing power to the cancer research program, a spokesman said.

The AMA had no comment because it hasn't been approached yet, a spokeswoman said.

The research project will use a technology known as peer-to-peer, which allows users to share computer resources and services by direct exchange between systems.

It will attempt to link the hundreds of millions of computers connected to the Internet, thus creating a virtual supercomputer that researchers can use to research the cancer-fighting properties of molecules. Organizers believe that eventually their project could cut by more than half the time it takes to develop a drug.

While the Intel-sponsored project initially will focus on leukemia, organizers plan to expand research to other types of cancer and serious conditions such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes.

To participate in the project, PC owners must download a software program from Intel's Web site (http://www.intel.com/cure/). The program, developed by United Devices, will run in the background when users use applications such as word processing or spreadsheets, or as a screen saver when PCs are idle. It will run only when unused processing power is available on your PC, and you should not see any performance problems when you use your computer, organizers said.