Anthropic says Claude found unknown enzyme system in bacteriophage DNA
The company says the system resembles CRISPR-related structures, but its function and any medical use are not yet known.
What we know
- Anthropic said in a post on X that Claude discovered a previously unknown enzyme system in the DNA of bacteriophages. [1]
- Anthropic said a long array of repeating DNA sits beside the enzyme's gene, in a structure somewhat similar to CRISPR. [1]
- Anthropic said it does not yet know what the system does, and that only a handful of known systems share its features. [1]
- Not yet confirmed: What the system does, whether it can cut, copy and paste DNA, and whether it could be used in medicine are all unresolved. Anthropic said much more work is needed. No independent verification was cited.
Anthropic said Claude has discovered a previously unknown enzyme system in the DNA of bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria. The company announced the finding in a post on X on Sept. 23. [1]
According to Anthropic, a long array of repeating DNA sits next to the enzyme's gene. The company said this structure looks somewhat similar to CRISPR. [1]
Anthropic said it does not yet understand what the newly found system does. It said only a handful of known systems share its features, and that all of them are able to cut, copy and paste DNA. [1]
The company noted that discoveries of programmable systems like these have historically helped revolutionize medicine. It said CRISPR, for example, is now the foundation of genetic medicines. [1]
Anthropic cautioned that it will take much more work to learn what the new system does and whether it can be put to similar use. [1]