Keith Chambers/Science Photo Library
As artificial intelligence permeates various areas of society, it is spilling over into other areas as well. One area that is making big changes is protein science. We are talking about the molecules that make cells work. AI advances the field by predicting what these molecular machines will look like, telling scientists how they do everything from processing food to turning light into sugar.
Now, scientists at Google DeepMind have taken protein prediction models to the next level with the release of AlphaFold3. This is an AI program that can predict not only the unique shape of a protein, but also almost any other type of molecule that the protein binds to in order to function.
Producer Barley McCoy talks to host Emily Kwon about the potential impact and limitations of this new technology. Additionally, they talk about the broader field of AI protein science and why researchers hope to solve problems ranging from disease to climate.
Are there other aspects of AI you would like us to cover? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
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Today's episode was produced by Rachel Carlson. Edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Barley McCoy confirmed the facts. The acoustic engineer is Ko Takasugi Chernowin.