AI has designed functioning phage genomes; researchers warn this could spark a dangerous trend. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, used in therapy and biotech, with potential to reshape medicine and ecology.
Researchers at Stanford and the Arc Institute have used generative genome models to design and synthesise bacteriophage genomes; 16 of the lab-made viruses proved viable and a cocktail of them rapidly killed E. coli strains resistant to natural phages. Experts have warned the work has raised urgent biosafety and biosecurity questions about AI-designed genomes.