AI simulates 500 million years of evolution to create new fluorescent protein

A startup called EvolutionaryScale has developed an AI model, ESM3, that simulates 500 million years of evolution to create a new fluorescent protein. This model uses advanced computational power to explore alternative evolutionary pathways not taken by nature. The ESM3 model generates proteins by analyzing vast amounts of biological data. Researchers successfully created a new green fluorescent protein, named esmGFP, which differs significantly from existing versions. This breakthrough could aid in developing new therapies and applications. The study highlights the potential for AI to reveal biological possibilities that have not evolved on Earth. It supports the idea that evolution could have followed many different paths, a concept debated among scientists for decades.