tech
Large genome models used to design new viruses
The AI system makes genetically distant versions of a bacteria-killing virus.
TL;DR
- Large genome models, trained on DNA sequences, can generate functional DNA that encodes proteins and mimic gene structures.
- Researchers used these models (Evo 1 and Evo 2) to design entire genomes of viruses that infect bacteria, using the bacteriophage ΦX174 as a test case.
- The AI-generated viruses, while often similar to the original, exhibited significant genetic variations and some could infect resistant bacterial strains.
- These designed viruses showed promise in overcoming antibiotic resistance, outperforming natural bacteriophage cocktails in some tests.
- The development highlights potential biosecurity risks, as similar AI could potentially be used to design viruses targeting vertebrates, necessitating better governance and regulation.