Researchers at Columbia University have developed an AI tool that can predict the activity of genes in any human cell. This breakthrough helps scientists understand how cells work and how they respond to changes, such as mutations that cause cancer. The study, published in Nature, highlights how AI can reveal the hidden mechanisms of cells and transform biology into a predictive science.
How the AI Tool Works
The AI model analyzes data from millions of human cells, including genome sequences and gene activity patterns. Similar to how AI tools like ChatGPT understand language rules, this model learns the “grammar” of cell functions. It can then predict gene activity in both normal and diseased cells, even for cells it has not encountered before.
Applications in Disease Research
The tool has already helped researchers study an inherited form of childhood leukemia. By predicting how specific mutations affect gene interactions, the AI revealed the mechanisms driving the disease. These predictions were later confirmed through lab experiments.
Exploring Genome “Dark Matter”
The AI model also opens new possibilities for exploring the genome’s “dark matter”—regions that don’t contain known genes but may hold clues to cancer and other diseases. By analyzing mutations in these regions, the AI could help uncover new biological insights and targets for treatments.
A New Era in Biology
This AI breakthrough is part of a larger trend in transforming biology into a predictive science. Researchers believe it will lead to faster discoveries and better understanding.
Source: technologynetworks
