AI Is Changing Biology Faster Than Ever

In the last two weeks, artificial intelligence has made major waves in biology.

One of the biggest stories comes from a biotech startup called EvolutionaryScale. Their new AI model, ESM3, was trained on 770 billion protein sequences. It didn’t just predict proteins—it created one. The AI simulated half a billion years of evolution and designed a completely new fluorescent protein called esmGFP. Scientists tested it, and it actually worked, glowing green in the lab. This could open the door to designing entirely new biological tools using AI.

In India, researchers at IIT Indore built a new system that uses quantum nanotechnology and AI to detect genetic mutations, including cancer-linked ones. It works by analyzing electrical signals from DNA and could make early diagnosis cheaper and more accurate.

Meanwhile in Australia, AI helped scientists uncover hidden patterns in our genes—tiny variations that could explain why some people are more likely to develop certain diseases. These patterns were previously invisible without AI’s help.

But there’s also a warning: researchers in the UK are concerned that some AI-generated science is low quality. Tools like ChatGPT can help write papers, but if they’re used poorly, the research could be misleading or flawed.

To help guide good science, the AI company Anthropic just launched a new “AI for Science” program. They’re giving free access to advanced AI tools for researchers working on real-world biology problems.

AI and biology are merging faster than ever. From creating proteins to spotting disease, this is just the beginning.

Sources:

• https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/05/17/1091690/this-ai-just-invented-a-new-protein-that-shines-green/

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/iit-i-develops-quantum-ai-nanotechnology-to-aid-in-early-detection-of-genetic-mutations/articleshow/120942599.cms

• https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-ai-uncovers-hidden-patterns-genes.html

• https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1083476

• https://www.anthropic.com/news/ai-for-science-program