Audio long read: AI has dreamt up a blizzard of new proteins. Do any of them actually work?
Briefly

AI tools have revolutionized protein design, leading to an unprecedented surge in synthetic proteins. However, the rapid pace has outstripped lab testing capabilities, creating a bottleneck.
The introduction of protein-design competitions aims to filter actionable solutions from unrealistic concepts. While such contests have a history of fostering breakthroughs, they face challenges in focused problem selection and fair winner evaluation.
Determining the functional from the fantastical in protein design has become pivotal. The influx of AI-generated proteins presents both opportunities and hurdles in the practical application of these advancements.
As researchers navigate this new landscape, the question remains: how do we effectively identify valuable protein design challenges and establish objective criteria for competition outcomes?
Read at Nature
[
|
]