Australian Scientists Develop Biological AI System for Molecule Evolution

Australian scientists at the University of Sydney have developed a groundbreaking research system named PROTEUS, which uses 'biological artificial intelligence' to design and evolve molecules with new or improved functions directly in mammal cells. This system, detailed in a recent announcement, provides a powerful new tool for developing more specific and effective research tools or gene therapies.

PROTEUS employs 'directed evolution', a lab technique that mimics natural evolution, but accelerates the process to create molecules with new functions in weeks rather than years. This advancement could significantly impact the development of new medicines, including enhancing gene editing technologies like CRISPR.

The system allows researchers to program mammalian cells with genetic problems and uses directed evolution to explore millions of possible sequences, finding molecules highly adapted to solve these problems. This capability could lead to solutions that would otherwise take years for human researchers to discover.

The research, conducted at the Charles Perkins Centre in collaboration with the Centenary Institute, has already demonstrated the ability of PROTEUS to develop improved proteins and nanobodies that detect DNA damage, a key process in cancer development. The system's open-source nature invites other labs to adopt and further develop this innovative technique.