Large genome models used to design new viruses
Researchers at Stanford University have utilized large genome models, similar to large language models, to design functional viral genomes. While the current models focus on bacteria-infecting viruses, experts warn that similar technology could eventually be used to create viruses targeting vertebrates.
Why it matters
This development highlights the dual-use nature of AI in biology, raising significant biosafety and security concerns regarding the potential for synthetic pathogen creation.
Viral hallucinations Large genome models used to design new viruses The AI system makes genetically distant versions of a bacteria-killing virus.
36 Credit: THOM LEACH / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Credit: THOM LEACH / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav A lot of the AI work in biology has been focused on designing proteins. That’s partly because proteins do most of the business of life, catalyzing the interesting chemistry and structuring cells. So, figuring out how to make a new protein can mean directly tinkering with biochemistry, providing new and potentially useful functions.
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