Inspired by the generative abilities of AI, directed evolution, a biological system that works much like machine learning, can actually be used to improve proteins and antibodies by automatically evolving them.
PROTEUS (PROTein Evolution Using Selection) is the brainchild of molecular biologist Christopher Denes of the University of Sydney and his research team. Denes, whose work explores the intersection of molecular biology and virology, wanted to create a biotech platform that would make it possible to evolve molecules in mammal cells as opposed to the bacterial cells directed evolution has usually been used on.
By going through millions of potential genetic sequences in order to find the best adaptations for an application, PROTEUS fast-forwards evolution by years and even decades. This could mean the ability to switch genetic diseases off.
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Optimizing proteins in human cells could allow patients to better tolerate and process medical treatments as well as work alongside CRISPR to improve gene editing.
