AI Helps Biotech Labs Generate the Building Blocks for New Drugs

AI Helps Biotech Labs Generate the Building Blocks for New Drugs

But what if we could add new proteins to the resource pile? Two biotech labs have begun using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate novel proteins with the goal of incorporating them into medicine. Chroma, a program by Boston-based Generate Biomedicines, and RoseTTAFold Diffusion, a program out of the University of Washington’s Baker Lab, are often compared with trendy AI art generators thanks to their ability to create new concepts seemingly out of thin air. In fact, Chroma has even been referred to as “the DALL-E 2 of biology.”

AI protein generators, a type of denoising diffusion probabilistic model (DDPM), are trained to pull samples from complex datasets. They then use those samples—plus added noise—to construct a product that matches a given prompt. Although art generators are the best-known DDPMs, AI isn’t only good for producing images on demand; they’ve also been found to be an ideal method of generating diverse protein models. In a preprint on bioRxiv, Baker Labs scientists describe how RoseTTAFold can devise protein structures with virtually any desired size, shape, or function, as well as with any required constraints.

AI Helps Biotech Labs Generate the Building Blocks for New Drugs

Chroma works similarly. Generate Biomedicine’s program pulls from what it calls the Protein Data Bank, which houses 3D protein and protein complex structures as well as amino acid sequences. Using the patterns from this data, Chroma can create new proteins within size, symmetry, and function constraints. Seemingly capable of heavier lifts than its competitor, Chroma uses a single commodity GPU to generate large proteins and protein complexes in just a few minutes.

Once RoseTTAFold or Chroma generates a protein, scientists can bring that protein to life in the lab. Baker Lab says it has already synthesized hundreds of RoseTTAFold’s creations, many of which have the potential to be “useful as medications, vaccines, or even new nanomaterials.” Some of Baker Lab’s proteins even attach to essential hormones better than existing protein-based drugs, offering hope that AI-generated proteins might someday enable the creation of more effective pharmaceuticals.

Continue reading

Third-Party Repair Shops May Be Blocked From Servicing iPhone 12 Camera
Third-Party Repair Shops May Be Blocked From Servicing iPhone 12 Camera

According to a recent iFixit report, Apple's hostility to the right of repair has hit new heights with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.

Intel, Nvidia Deny Blocking AMD From High-End Mobile Gaming
Intel, Nvidia Deny Blocking AMD From High-End Mobile Gaming

There's a rumor going around that Intel and Nvidia are conspiring to keep AMD out of high-end gaming. Both companies deny it, and there are objective reasons to think it isn't true.

Apple Urges Immediate iPhone Update to Block Active Online Hacks
Apple Urges Immediate iPhone Update to Block Active Online Hacks

There's a new version of Apple's iOS software for iPhone and iPad devices, and as usual, Apple is going to start pestering users to update. This time, the nagging for iOS 14.4 comes with a little more urgency.

FTC Sues to Block Nvidia – ARM Takeover
FTC Sues to Block Nvidia – ARM Takeover

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing Nvidia to block its intended ARM merger.