Nature Podcast

Alphafold 3.0: the AI protein predictor gets an upgrade

May 8, 2024

Nuclear clocks revolutionize timekeeping accuracy, AlphaFold 3 predicts protein structures with DNA and RNA interactions, life on other planets may be purple, magnetic fluid for healthcare monitoring, AI tool advances protein function and drug discovery.

21:33

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Quick takeaways

Nuclear clocks offer enhanced accuracy by focusing on energy transitions within the nucleus, paving the way for probing fundamental atomic forces.

AlphaFold 3's upgrade enables accurate prediction of protein-molecule complexes including DNA and RNA, enhancing drug discovery.

Deep dives

Advancements in Nuclear Clock Technology

Scientists have made significant progress in developing a new type of clock known as a nuclear clock. Unlike atomic clocks that focus on electron energy states, nuclear clocks concentrate on the energy levels within the nucleus itself, specifically involving neutron and proton interactions. The challenge lies in finding a nucleus with a small enough energy transition suitable for clock purposes, such as thorium 229. By pinpointing the precise frequency needed to trigger this transition, researchers have achieved unprecedented precision, marking a crucial milestone in advancing clock technology.

Introduction

3min

Exploring the Precision of Nuclear Clocks

11min

Innovative Ferrofluid-like Material for Liquid Bioelectronics and Healthcare Monitoring

1min

Advancements in Alphafold 3 Protein Structure Prediction

5min

Exploring the Utility of a New AI Tool for Protein Function and Drug Discovery

4min

In this episode:

00:45 A nuclear timekeeper that could transform fundamental-physics research.

Nuclear clocks — based on tiny shifts in energy in an atomic nucleus — could be even more accurate and stable than other advanced timekeeping systems, but have been difficult to make. Now, a team of researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of these clocks, identifying the correct frequency of laser light required to make this energy transition happen. Ultimately it’s hoped that physicists could use nuclear clocks to probe the fundamental forces that hold atoms together.

News: Laser breakthrough paves the way for ultra precise ‘nuclear clock’

10:34 Research Highlights

Why life on other planets may come in purple, brown or orange, and a magnetic fluid that could change shape inside the body.

Research Highlight: Never mind little green men: life on other planets might be purple

Research Highlight: A magnetic liquid makes for an injectable sensor in living tissue

13:48 AlphaFold gets an upgrade

Deepmind’s AlphaFold has revolutionised research by making it simple to predict the 3D structures of proteins, but it has lacked the ability to predict situations where a protein is bound to another molecule. Now, the AI has been upgraded to AlphaFold 3 and can accurately predict protein-molecule complexes containing DNA, RNA and more. Whilst the new version is restricted to non-commercial use, researchers are excited by its greater range of predictive abilities and the prospect of speedier drug discovery.

News: Major AlphaFold upgrade offers huge boost for drug discovery

Research Article: Abramson et al.

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