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Meta alum launches AI biology model that simulates 500 million years of evolution

ESM3, an AI biology model, is available in three sizes. The smallest one is open, while the medium and large versions are available for commercial use via API.

From the rate of diversification of GFPs found in nature, we estimate that this generation of a new fluorescent protein is equivalent to simulating over 500 million years of evolution,” the company wrote in a pre-print paper posted on its website on Tuesday. So, having a way to program biology and design new molecules could pave the way to solve some of the biggest challenges faced by humanity, including climate change, plastic pollution and conditions like cancer. For example, the model can be prompted to combine structure, sequence and function to propose a potential scaffold for the active site of PETase, an enzyme that degrades polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a target of interest to protein engineers for breaking down plastic waste,” the company explained.

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