Part 5/17:
From AlphaFold to Alpha Proteo
While models like AlphaFold revolutionized our understanding of protein structures, they only predict interactions. The latest development from Google DeepMind, Alpha Proteo, moves beyond and designs entirely new proteins capable of binding specific molecules—potentially transforming drug discovery, crop resilience, and disease prevention.
How It Works
Training Data: Alpha Proteo leverages vast datasets, including predicted structures from AlphaFold and the Protein Data Bank.
Designing Binders: Given a target molecule's structure, Alpha Proteo creates proteins—called binders—that fit almost perfectly, acting as keys to specific locks.