EvolutionaryScale, an AI research lab founded by former Meta engineers, has recently launched ESM3, a bio-programming tool featuring native multimodal and generative language models.
This model can design new proteins based on specific prompts. Experimental results show that the model can generate a new green fluorescent protein (esmGFP), which would take hundreds of millions of years to study at the speed of natural evolution.
EvolutionaryScale has completed a $14.2 million seed round led by Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, and Lux Capital, with participation from AWS and NVIDIA's venture capital divisions. ESM3 is available in three versions, with the smallest version publicly released, while the medium and large versions are commercially operated through EvolutionaryScale's API.
Why is EvolutionaryScale introducing AI into the biological field? Although generative AI models have made significant progress in understanding and reasoning human language, many wonder if we can train these models to interpret the core language of life and then use them to develop new molecules. The core molecules of life, including RNA, proteins, and DNA, have evolved through natural chemical reactions over the past 3.5 billion years. Therefore, methods capable of programming biology and designing new molecules could pave the way for addressing some of the biggest challenges facing humanity, including climate change, plastic pollution, and cancer.
In the first plate shown below, we were intrigued to find B8. Although very dim, 50 times dimmer than natural GFP, it is quite distinct from any known GFP—its sequence is 43% different from the closest natural protein. Continuing the idea of B8 in the second plate below, ESM3 discovered C10, which is similar to natural fluorescent proteins.
Multiple organizations, including Google Deepmind and Isomorphic Labs, have been working in this field, and EvolutionaryScale is the latest to join. The company was founded in 2023 and has developed several protein language models in recent months, but its latest product, ESM3, is the largest and features native multimodal and generative capabilities.
Key Points:
💡 EvolutionaryScale, founded by former Meta engineers, has launched ESM3, a bio-programming tool with native multimodal and generative language models.
💡 ESM3 has generated a new green fluorescent protein in tests, simulating over 500 million years of evolutionary history, with significant potential applications in the biological field.
💡 ESM3 comes in three versions, with the smallest version publicly released, while the medium and large versions are commercially operated through EvolutionaryScale's API.