kSERO launches an early-learning game that's out of this world

By Nicky Colomb
Virginia BioTechnology Research Park

kSERO Corp., Inc., has announced that its innovative learning product, Metanon: The Biocode Adventure, is now available at Ukrop's grocery stores, the Science Museum of Virginia and The Toymaker of Williamsburg and Toys That Teach retail stores.

The game, which is designed to introduce children to such scientific concepts as genetics and DNA while developing cognitive and analytical skills, features six alien characters, all stranded on the planet Metanon. To return the characters to their home planet, players must gather supplies from three cities. However, to gain access to these cities, the children must collect and piece together "biocodes." The innovative aspect of this game is that each biocode is a part of a pattern for a biological feature of a Metanon species. This introduces children to the concept of DNA in a fun and easy way, at a very early age.

"In 1986, working in the laboratory in Cambridge, UK, where DNA was discovered, I was hit by a car during one of my dinner walks. A friend gave me a computer game to play to pass the time that I spent recovering in bed. Since then I have had a dream of using game playing -- not just for amusement, but to teach science," says Donald Abraham, Ph.D., co-founder of kSERO, professor of medicinal chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University and director of VCU's Institute for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery.

kSERO is a life science company based at the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park that works with scientists and educators to create games, books and programs. The company was launched in 2002 by Abraham and Susan Hardwicke, Ph.D., who also founded Richmond-based Edutest, Inc.

"It had been widely accepted that DNA and genetics were too complicated to be learned before high school. Our research with this exciting game shows otherwise," says Hardwicke.

"The Mentanon game is a great example of the creative products that can result when two talented entrepreneurs come together in a supportive incubator environment," says David Lohr, director of business development at the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park and executive director of the park's business accelerator, the Virginia Biosciences Development Center.

Hardwicke says kSERO plans to expand distribution of Metanon to other retailers in the Richmond area and across the country.