To make the model more accessible, DeepMind is offering AlphaFold Server, a free web application for non-commercial use. The tool allows users to input sequences and categories, and within minutes, it provides a 3D molecule model. However, some critics argue that while the tool is a significant advancement, withholding crucial information about AlphaFold's training process and other details limits its contribution to open science.
Key takeaways:
- Google Deepmind has unveiled AlphaFold 3, a new version of their machine learning model that predicts the shape and behavior of proteins, which now also predicts interactions with other biomolecules.
- The company is offering a limited version of AlphaFold 3 for free online use, through a fully hosted web application called AlphaFold Server, for non-commercial purposes.
- AlphaFold 3 allows multiple molecules to be simulated at once, enhancing the understanding of how properties of biology emerge through interactions between different molecules in the cell.
- Despite the free offering, some critics argue that this move isn't a win for open science as crucial information for replicating the model is withheld, meaning scientists have to use the tool under Alphabet, Google, and Deepmind's supervision.