AI can write genomes – how long until it creates synthetic life? (www.nature.com)

Researchers have recently applied artificial intelligence to design entire genome sequences, marking a significant advancement in the quest to create synthetic life. This development, detailed in a Nature paper, utilizes the Evo2 DNA language model, which was trained on trillions of DNA letters from a variety of organisms. While these AI-generated genomic designs draw inspiration from the first synthetic genome of the bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium, experts caution that we are still far from producing fully functional synthetic life forms. Key challenges remain, including the need for large-scale synthesis and testing of these genomes, as well as the complexity involved in ensuring that all essential genes are included in the correct order to facilitate cellular function. This breakthrough is perceived as a “ChatGPT moment” for synthetic genomics, suggesting that AI can facilitate the creation of novel life forms that go beyond mere editing of existing genomes. Despite the initial success in crafting simpler sequences, such as those for bacteria-infecting viruses, researchers emphasize the profound challenge posed by the complexity of more advanced organisms. As synthetic biology advances, the merging of AI with genomics holds promise for new discoveries, but the road to truly synthetic life remains a formidable endeavor.