A breakthrough in protein structure prediction has been made by scientists from Basecamp Research with the development of the new Basefold II model based on the Alphafold 2 algorithms from DeepMind. This new model, called Basefold, boasts more accurate predictions of protein structure by learning from a wider data set. Basecamp Research has also partnered with NVIDIA to optimize its model for the BioMo platform, aiming to advance the discovery of new drugs.
BaseCamp claims that Basefold improves accuracy in predicting the interaction of protein structures with small molecules, a crucial aspect in drug development process which is three times more precise compared to previous models.
BASECAMP’s mission extends beyond predicting protein structures to creating new proteins and organisms tailored to the needs of their customers. By collaborating with researchers worldwide and sequencing genomic information from millions of microbes, plants, and animals, Basecamp is able to create more accurate protein structure models.
The company offers its services to tackle various challenges, such as developing proteins for environmentally friendly tissue staining or identifying proteins capable of breaking down plastic. Looking ahead, Basecamp looks forward to collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs.
BASECAMP acknowledges the need for additional investments to further develop and compete in the market with larger players. Since its establishment in 2019, the company has secured $25 million in investments and is currently valued at $71 million.
The Alphafold system, developed by DeepMind, is a groundbreaking AI tool that accurately predicts 3D models of protein structures found in the human genome. The system’s latest version, Alphafold 2, expands its capabilities beyond protein structure prediction to accurately forecasting ligands, nucleic acids, and post-translational modifications. These advancements are poised to revolutionize drug discovery by aiding in the identification and design of new molecules for potential drug development.