DeepMind’s AI just solved a 50 year old challenge problem

“The inside story of the DeepMind team of scientists and engineers who created AlphaFold, an AI system that is recognized as a solution to “protein folding”, a grand scientific challenge for more than 50 years.”

IT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING

Some people call it the biggest advancement in structural biology of the past 20 years. Others call it the biggest advancement in AI of the past 20 years. DeepMind’s accomplishment is so impressive that people are talking about the Nobel Prize for this discovery.

OK, but what is it?

Deepmind has created an algorithm that will help us:

  • Learn more about our DNA
  • Cure diseases
  • Work on anti-aging treatments & much more

OK, but how?

By folding proteins (amino acid sequences, the building blocks of life) into 3D structures.

The 3D structure of proteins dictate the function that they will have when interacting with other stuff.

Why is this useful?

Getting the correct folding is really hard.

There are 10ˆ 43 ways to fold a protein. Misfolding in a protein is the cause of many diseases.

For perspective: There are 10^80 atoms in the universe

Why is this better?

Getting the correct folding is really expensive nowadays.

Current experimental methods of determining 3D structures of protein cost ~$120,000.00 and take around 12 months. Alphafold did it in a matter of hours!

How can this be used in the real world?

It will allow us to figure out the structure of millions of new proteins in the next few years and revolutionize medicine.

In the long term, we will be able to simulate multi protein interaction and maybe simulate biological life!

What do you think about this discovery? Let me know in the comments!