Thursday, October 1, 2026
Anthropic Claude AI discovers CRISPR-like enzyme system (announced Sept 23, 2026; Smithsonian coverage Sept 29): ~950 Claude agents worked 21.5 hours autonomously, wrote own search code, screened massive DNA database for reverse transcriptases (~200,000 candidates); found novel system that can cut/copy/paste DNA; preprint, not peer reviewed, experimental validation still pending (Le Cong: "the experiments are still in the queue, the PR is already live"); landmark example of AI-driven biological discovery Newly discovered cell-recycling pathway unlocks TFEB therapeutic potential (Nature, Sept 3
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