SMRTR Science & EngineeringAug 6, 2026Ars Technica

Large genome models used to design new viruses

SMRTR summary

Stanford researchers used large genome AI models to design new bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria but not humans. The AI produced 16 functional viruses out of 285 tested, some with dramatic mutations that would be nearly impossible through natural evolution. Researchers warn the same approach could potentially be used to design viruses targeting humans.

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