10 years ago I worked with a few coworkers on a protein search algorithm through the PDB (finding structure motifs with flexible and more stable components). It was a multi-month effort and our tool eventually vanished into the failed venture backed bio company. This type of problem is trivial compared to energy minimization (simulated structure) efforts.<p>Mapping problems to an interface where thousands or millions of humans and computers can tackle them generates a sense of awe each time I read about it.