Artificial intelligence still has many things to be achieved. However, last year, thanks to Google Deepmind and its AlphaFold protein structure forecasting technology, I was very aware of biological science.
But it’s just the first step of a long and ambitious journey to make use of AI to move your life science. Demis Hassabis, a Google Deepmind CEO, said in a fire -side chat at Davos 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF), saying, “Finally, my dream is to simulate virtual cells.”
In another interview, he emphasized that Alphafold provided static interpretation of protein and could really understand what was happening when dynamics between different ingredients in the cell were considered. I said.
“A virtual cell project is to build AI simulation of a complete work cell,” he said, suggesting that it might start with simple organisms like yeast cells.
Virtual cells may arrive 5 years from now
At the World Economic Forum, Hassabi accompanied Ardem Patapoutian, a renowned molecular biologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics or Medicine in 2021. And it’s very interesting about where things are, both architecture and 3D space. ”
He also stated that this would also help to achieve a deeper understanding of human biology beyond the level of protein expression.
“Let’s say that a specific protein is very highly expressed in cells, but when you actually see it and see it, it is a localization of the neuron that is all very specific. It is done, “he added.
Hassabi also stated that it could be important to understand how cells react to specific nutrients or drug injections. Currently, this process is “struggling” in the laboratory, but this project can execute researchers at 1 million times faster and lower costs.
However, he pointed out that the lab is still needed as a final step for conducting clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of the research. Hasabis stated that virtual cell projects could be realized within five years.
However, this is one of many examples of researchers investigating the concept of virtual cells.
How to build AI virtual cells
Last December, Stanford University published a research research with several famous global universities to investigate how to create virtual cells.
Researchers will explain the outline of the three functions that AI virtual cells should have. Create universal expressions between species and cells, accurately predict cell function, computer -based experiments test hypotheses, guide data collection, and enlarge their functions.
The proposed model consists of two components: AI models that interpret biological systems and “virtual devices” that analyze and simulate the results.
Researchers have stated that cancer researchers could study how to make health cells malignant. 。
However, one question asks “how to build a virtual cell”, but the author considers something more important as a “way to trust abilities.”
“For this purpose, a comprehensive and adapted benchmark framework is needed,” said the author.
“(AI virtual cells) must explain dynamic distributions that evolve for other factors that cause environmental changes, infectious diseases, genetic mutations, and distribution shifts,” he added.
In addition, the author mentioned another challenge. It is to deal with the bias of the data used for model training and ensure its diversity.
“As the efforts of virtual cells mature, it is necessary to further strengthen dialogue with scientists developing models, scientists who generate experimental data, and financing organizations,” said the author.
However, it emphasizes the importance of using open data resources and standardized data format in order to guarantee that the project contributes to the overall interests of mankind. This requires a healthy cooperation between investors, biopsy experts, regulatory authorities, academia, researchers, and all other related stakeholders.
In consideration of everything, all of these ambitions are projected to increase the life of life.
Long live..longevity Tech?
“There are no clear indicators of progress. If you need it, we can strongly assert your average life expectancy,” said Baraji Slinibasan, an entrepreneur who built multiple genomics companies. Read the line of “The Anthology of Balaji”, a collection of statements created.
Slinibasan states that if the purpose of technology is to reduce rarity, the ultimate purpose of technology is to eliminate mortality. This is the main cause of rarity.
Several engineers accept longevity technology. The recently announced $ 500 billion project Stargate aims to eliminate illness and improve life.
According to Larry Ellison, one of Oracle’s CTOs and projects that provide funds to projects, the AI is to enable AI to enable “cancer vaccine, individualized medicine, and pandemic prevention”. I am.
“We will see the illness healing at an unprecedented speed. Sam Altman, an open -Arai CEO at the forefront of the project star gate, states:
The company is also ambition to build longevity technology, and in 2023, Altman has “personal funded” to Retro Biosciences, a longevity science company. Recently, Retro BIOSCIENCES has announced $ 1 billion from the back recruitment of three drug clinical trials.
Most high -tech leders share the same opinion. “I don’t think doubling the life of human beings is crazy if we expect humans to achieve them in fields like biology 100 years later,” said Dario Amodei. Ta. , Davos.
However, we are definitely far away from realizing such ambitions. In the interaction with AIM, Pallas Chopura, the founder of Turing’s dream, is also a winner of the Biotechnology bachelor’s gold medal, and believes that people are blowing away immortal ambitions.
“Everything is long, fitter life, but when we talk about living forever, we think we are opposing very difficult physical and biological limits.” Said Chopura.
“As an engineer, we tend to be very excited about things and be very optimistic,” he added.