- Google DeepMind launched Alpha Genome to identify DNA mutations linked to disease risk
- Alpha Genome predicts effects of genetic mutations on DNA and molecular functions
- The model analyzes millions of DNA letters and is publicly available via an API
Google Deepmind has unveiled an AI model that can help scientists identify the parts of the human genetic code that increase the risk of developing certain diseases.
Known as 'Alpha Genome', the model can help predict how genetic mutations affect human DNA, which helps scientists better understand how these mutations put us at higher risk of various ailments such as heart disease, autoimmune disorders as well as mental health problems.
The firm announced via an 'X' post that the model has been made available to the public, after having been mentioned in the previous year in Nature magazine. It essentially analyzes millions of letters within a DNA sequence and makes predictions about its molecular function. This model can also be used to make predictions about the effects of various mutations on a gene sequence.
“We see AlphaGenome as a tool for understanding what the functional elements in the genome do, which we hope will accelerate our fundamental understanding of the code of life,” Natasha Latysheva, a DeepMind researcher, said at a press briefing.
The AlphaGenome API is now powering over 1 million API calls per day from over 3000 total users across 160 countries.
— Google DeepMind (@GoogleDeepMind) January 28, 2026
Researchers are already using it to tackle some of the toughest challenges in biology. Here's how the model works ↓ pic.twitter.com/iYPr6aZjyg
The human genome consists of three billion letters of the DNA code, which are represented by the letters G, T, C, and A. Around 2% of the genome undertakes the process of determining how cells grow and function, whereas the remaining 98% (which is labelled the dark genome) is not as well understood by researchers and coordinates gene activity.
The dark genome is where mutations or variations that cause diseases are found. Deepmind's Alpha Genome can analyse one million letters of code at a time, helping scientists better understand this section of the human genome.
The AI model may have the ability to aid scientists in figuring out which strands of DNA are responsible for the development of a particular organ tissue, and isolate the most notable mutations that cause genetic diseases. It may also help pioneer gene therapy and help researchers develop new DNA sequences.
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