Schneier iconSchneierAug 21, 2026

AI Is Learning to Write Genetic Code

Using an existing bacteriophage as an example—ΦX174 (pronounced "fie-ex-1-7-4"), known for its ability to infect and destroy E. coli bacteria—the models generated about 700,000 potential designs, of which the researchers picked 285 that looked most promising.

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Using an existing bacteriophage as an example—ΦX174 (pronounced "fie-ex-1-7-4"), known for its ability to infect and destroy E.

coli bacteria—the models generated about 700,000 potential designs, of which the researchers picked 285 that looked most promising.

The researchers then synthesised new DNA molecules using those designs and inserted them into E.

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The useful part

Using an existing bacteriophage as an example—ΦX174 (pronounced "fie-ex-1-7-4"), known for its ability to infect and destroy E. coli bacteria—the models generated about 700,000 potential designs, of which the researchers picked 285 that looked most promising. The researchers then synthesised new DNA molecules using those designs and inserted them into E.

How it works

  • coli bacteria, before waiting to see if viable bacteriophages would emerge...

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