Artificial Intelligence

Scientists Develop Biological AI System for Protein Evolution

Published JUL 8 2025

Story

Above: DNA chains. Image credit: Unsplash

The Facts

Australian researchers from the University of Sydney and the Centenary Institute have developed PROTEUS (PROTein Evolution Using Selection), a platform that enables the direct evolution of proteins within mammalian cells rather than traditional bacterial systems.
Medicalxpress
PHYS
In research published in Nature Communications, it was reported that the system utilizes chimeric virus-like particles to introduce mutations and select improved proteins within mammalian cells, thereby accelerating evolution cycles from years to weeks.
Nature
Medicalxpress
The researchers found that PROTEUS successfully improved proteins that regulate gene expression and evolved nanobodies that detect DNA damage, demonstrating potential applications in cancer research and the development of gene therapy.
The University of Sydney
PHYS
The platform reportedly addresses the challenge of maintaining cellular stability during multiple evolution cycles by preventing the system from producing trivial solutions through its chimeric viral design.
Nature
Medicalxpress
Researchers made PROTEUS open source for the global scientific community, with potential applications in enhancing CRISPR gene-editing technology and developing more effective mRNA medicines.
XINHUA
The University of Sydney
The breakthrough builds upon directed evolution techniques that earned the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, extending these capabilities to mammalian systems for the first time in a "stable, robust manner."
Nature
Medicalxpress
California Institute of Technology

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The Spin

Techno-optimist narrative

This breakthrough represents a game-changing advancement in biotechnology that has the potential to revolutionize the field of medicine. PROTEUS finally brings directed evolution into mammalian cells where it belongs, creating therapies designed to work in human bodies rather than bacterial systems. The open-source approach ensures rapid global adoption and accelerated medical breakthroughs.

Nature

PHYS

Techno-skeptic narrative

While promising, this technology raises concerns about accelerated molecular evolution and potential unintended consequences. The system's ability to rapidly generate millions of novel protein sequences in mammalian cells requires careful oversight and validation. Questions remain about the long-term stability and safety implications of such accelerated evolutionary processes.

NCBI

Pubmed

Metaculus Prediction

Editor's Note

This story currently has limited coverage. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our reporting as additional information becomes available.