STORY · FORSKNING_
Large genome models used to design new viruses
Stanford researchers have used large genome models (Evo 1 and Evo 2) to generate complete viral genomes of bacteriophages, particularly viruses resembling ΦX174. Of 285 synthesized viral sequences, several achieved infectious functionality, demonstrating that AI models can design functional viruses with novel properties.
WHY IT MATTERS
The work showcases both the potential and risks of genome models: it opens possibilities for designing biological systems, but also raises biosecurity questions if similar techniques were later applied to viruses that infect humans and other organisms.
SOURCES
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