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cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1318517/artificial-intelligence-genomic-language-model-used-to-design-brand-new-viruses-not-foun

Experts Reaction.

Using AI, researchers have designed complete, functional bacteriophage genomes from scratch and tested them against bacteria that had evolved resistance to a natural bacteriophage. Their work marks a step toward generative systems capable of engineering entire biological systems rather than individual genes or small genetic systems, while also raising important biosafety and biosecurity concerns.

cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1318517/artificial-intelligence-genomic-language-model-used-to-design-brand-new-viruses-not-foun

Experts Reaction.

• Bacteriophages kill bacteria, and scientists hope engineered phages could work as new antibiotics.

• Researchers applied a generative AI model, called Evo 2, to this challenge. Given a starting place – in this case bacteriophage ΦX174 – Evo 2 suggested new DNA sequences.

• Based on genomes written by Evo 2, the researchers synthesized and tested nearly 300 phages for effectiveness against E. coli. They ended up with 16 that proved exceptional.
• Given its potential, the researchers have made Evo 2 openly and freely available. Acknowledging safety concerns, they point to the importance of having tools like Evo 2 to address existing natural pathogens and the ability to build safety checks into AI tools – something that doesn’t happen when pathogens evolve naturally.

cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1318517/artificial-intelligence-genomic-language-model-used-to-design-brand-new-viruses-not-foun

Experts Reaction.

Using AI, researchers have designed complete, functional bacteriophage genomes from scratch and tested them against bacteria that had evolved resistance to a natural bacteriophage. Their work marks a step toward generative systems capable of engineering entire biological systems rather than individual genes or small genetic systems, while also raising important biosafety and biosecurity concerns.

cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1318517/artificial-intelligence-genomic-language-model-used-to-design-brand-new-viruses-not-foun

Experts Reaction.

Using AI, researchers have designed complete, functional bacteriophage genomes from scratch and tested them against bacteria that had evolved resistance to a natural bacteriophage. Their work marks a step toward generative systems capable of engineering entire biological systems rather than individual genes or small genetic systems, while also raising important biosafety and biosecurity concerns.