Protein-generating artificial intelligence (AI) has created enzymes for the first time. It is an analysis that this has enabled new drug manufacturing as well as industrial applications in various fields.
Science Daily introduced on the 23rd (local time) that a research team at the University of Washington created an enzyme, a protein that serves as a catalyst for biochemical reactions within cells, using AI, and published the related research in the world-renowned journal Nature on the 22nd.
According to this, Baker Lab researchers, a protein design laboratory at the University of Washington, have developed an AI model that creates an enzyme called ‘luciferase’. Luciferase is a substance that oxidizes a substance called luciferin, which is commonly included in light-emitting organisms such as fireflies and mushrooms, and emits light with its energy.
The researchers generated thousands of possible protein structures using the AI model to create a new luciferase that will react with luciferin.
Among them, it was confirmed that a protein (enzyme) called ‘luxit’ caused the desired chemical reaction and purified it. As a result, it was luminous enough to be seen with the naked eye, and even stronger than natural luciferase, he explained.
“It is possible to design enzymes with AI without relying on enzymes found in nature,” the researchers said. “This means that most custom enzymes for chemical reactions can be created with AI.”
The enzymes created by generative AI can be useful in various fields such as biotechnology, medicine, environment, and manufacturing. In biotechnology, enzymes can improve biofuel production, food processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and in medicine, they can serve as therapeutic and diagnostic tools. They can also contribute to the environment by breaking down pollutants or producing new materials such as degradable plastics and adhesives.
“The synthesis of new enzymes means that it is possible to manufacture renewable chemicals or biofuels,” said David Baker, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington. Professor Baker, the lead author, is the recipient of the 2021 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences.
Reporter Lim Dae-jun ydj@aitimes.com