AI cracks one of biology’s biggest puzzles

Scientists have unveiled a powerful new artificial intelligence system that could dramatically speed up the search for future treatments. Developed by Biohub, the platform can explore billions of proteins - the tiny building blocks that keep our bodies functioning; and predict how they behave, interact and take shape.

For decades, discovering useful proteins has been a slow and costly process, often taking years of laboratory work. The new system changes that by allowing researchers to perform much of the early search on computers, producing promising candidates within days.

The platform combines three open tools that help scientists understand proteins, predict their shapes and uncover hidden links across living organisms. By analysing information gathered from billions of protein records found throughout nature, the system learns patterns that have evolved over millions of years.

Researchers have already tested the technology on several targets linked to cancer and immune-related illnesses. In laboratory studies, the computer-designed proteins successfully attached to their intended targets and showed encouraging results.

Biohub says the tools will be freely available to researchers worldwide, supporting faster discovery and encouraging collaboration. Experts believe such advances could shorten the journey from scientific idea to treatment, opening new possibilities for more personalised and effective care in the future.