Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: AlphaFold 3 System
Why in the News?
AlphaFold 3, and AI System introduced in a May 2024 Nature paper, extends capabilities to predict protein-protein interactions, DNA, RNA structures, and their interactions.
Importance of Proteins
- Proteins are crucial molecules regulating nearly every biological function.
- They are composed of amino acids, which determine their structure and function.
- Understanding protein folding is essential for comprehending cellular and organismal functions.
The Protein-Folding Problem
- The process of protein folding is complex and not fully understood, known as the protein-folding problem.
- It is vital for deciphering how cells, organisms, and life itself operate.
- Frank Uhlmann emphasizes the significance of understanding protein structure for molecular biology.
What is AlphaFold?
- Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold debuted in 2020, employs AI and machine learning to predict protein structures.
- AlphaFold 2, released in 2021, significantly improved accuracy in protein structure prediction.
- Derek Lowe acknowledges AlphaFold’s achievement in predicting structures effectively, although the deeper biological principles remain less explored.
- AlphaFold 3’s Advancements:
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- It democratizes research by offering accessible structure prediction tools, even for non-experts.
Technology behind AlphaFold 3
- Unlike its predecessors, AlphaFold 3 utilizes a diffusion model akin to image-generating software.
- This approach involves training on noisy data and de-noising to predict accurate protein structures.
- Working:
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- Given an input list of molecules, AlphaFold 3 generates their joint 3D structure, revealing how they all fit together.
- It models large biomolecules such as proteins, DNA and RNA, as well as small molecules, also known as ligands — a category encompassing many drugs.
Applications of AlphaFold 3
- AlphaFold 3 excels in predicting protein structures and interactions, aiding drug discovery efforts.
- DeepMind’s spin-off, Isomorphic Labs, utilizes AlphaFold 3 for drug candidate identification.
Challenges
- The model’s code restriction has sparked criticism among researchers for hindering scientific collaboration and transparency.
- DeepMind initially withheld AlphaFold 3’s full code, prompting calls for open access from the scientific community.
- Responding to backlash, DeepMind plans to release the complete code within six months.
PYQ:[2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
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