GPT-5 lowers the cost of cell-free protein synthesis
TL;DR
OpenAI and Ginkgo Bioworks deployed GPT-5 in an autonomous lab to design, test, and optimize cell-free protein synthesis protocols.
Key Points
- AI-driven automation enabled rapid iteration of experimental conditions, achieving higher yields and lower costs.
- The autonomous lab explored a vast experimental space, generating insights difficult or impossible for humans to reach.
- Results published in Nature Biotechnology demonstrate potential for faster, cost-effective production of therapeutic proteins and vaccines.
Nauti's Take
This is the moment AI shifts from hype generator to genuine tool in drug development. OpenAI and Ginkgo haven't just published a paper—they've shown GPT-5 can autonomously steer complex biological experiments.
That changes the game: less manual pipetting, more smart optimization. The question remains, though, whether this technology becomes accessible to smaller labs or if Big Pharma and tech giants once again monopolize the field.
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