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Charles Parnot, a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford University, had a lot of data to deal 
with in his human genetics research and not enough time. Then Parnot discovered Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) Xgrid, a technology preview for linking Macintosh computers into powerful clusters, and he began experimenting with a few computers to see what he could accomplish.
Fast forward five months, and what began as eight computers providing 4 GHz of processing power has become as many as 200 systems around the world providing between 80 and 130 GHz of processing power to Parnot's efforts.
The computer owners donate their processor power during idle time. A live gauge of the processing speed is displayed on Parnot's Web site.
While Parnot's 3D modeling of proteins is carried out on a Silicon Graphics (NYSE: SGI) work station, data is being processed via the grid of internal and public Macintosh systems running the Xgrid screensaver.
Mac Community Discussion Boards
"I started out by putting together a few machines on my own, and then began adding the Web site in my e-mail signature on mailing lists," Parnot explained.
In a matter of months, he had jumped to 100 machines running at any given moment. He credits the success in generating participants on some postings on public Internet discussion boards in the Macintosh community.
Apple released Xgrid as a technology preview from its Advanced Computation Group (ACG), which researches algorithms and high-performance issues relevant to Apple technology.
Xgrid runs on OS X-enabled computers running 10.2.8 or later and functions as a screensaver when running projects such as SETI@Home or FightAIDS@Home.
Diligent Researcher
Parnot, a Frenchman, works in the lab of Brian Kobilka, M.D., a professor of molecular and cellular physiology at the California university. Kobilka says Parnot is independent-minded and a diligent researcher integral to his lab's efforts.
"We are modeling G protein-coupled receptors, the largest family of proteins in the human genome," Kobilka said. "This research occupies about half of our lab's work."
The effort's focus on these receptors -- the same receptors that are targeted by beta blockers -- could provide further understanding on how they react to medications used to battle various diseases related to the heart, coronary system and asthma.
Parnot told MacNewsWorld he is trying to identify which biochemical models work with the protein receptors. His research entails processing enormous volumes of data with numerous parameters per model -- and a lot of computer processing power, accordingly.
Biotech Opportunities
When a biochemical model fits with a protein receptor, it then can be evaluated further and could possibly lead to future drug research.
Although Parnot said he would like to go back to France at some point, he sees more opportunity in his field in the United States.
"I hope to stay here in Brian's lab for at least another year and will probably stay in academics in the future," Parnot added.
"Xgrid is pretty good for a technology preview," Parnot adds. "It crashes sometimes -- but I push it to its limits."
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