Profluent recently announced that it had successfully used OpenCRISPR-1 to edit human DNA, a breakthrough that the company's CEO, Ali Madani, described as a "scientific moonshot". The company plans to use feedback to further optimize OpenCRISPR-1 and establish partnerships with research institutions and drug developers interested in creating custom AI-designed CRISPR proteins. Madani believes that this marks a significant step towards a future where AI can be used to design bespoke treatments and cures for patients in need.
Key takeaways:
- Profluent, a Berkeley-based startup, has trained an AI to generate new, never-before-seen CRISPR proteins, potentially expanding the capabilities of gene editors.
- The company is making a new CRISPR system, OpenCRISPR-1, open source, allowing scientists to leverage an AI-designed gene editor for their research.
- OpenCRISPR-1 has been successfully used to edit human DNA, marking a significant breakthrough in the field.
- Profluent plans to further optimize OpenCRISPR-1 based on feedback, and is looking to establish partnerships with research institutions and drug developers for creating custom AI-designed CRISPR proteins.