Profluent Publishes Groundbreaking AI-Driven Gene Editing Research in Nature, Unveils OpenCRISPR-1 and CRISPR-Cas Atlas

Profluent, the AI-first protein design company, has announced the publication of its groundbreaking research in Nature, detailing the creation of OpenCRISPR-1—the world’s first AI-designed genome editor capable of successfully modifying the human genome. The study, titled “Design of highly functional genome editors by modelling CRISPR–Cas sequences,” demonstrates that Profluent’s large language models (LLMs) can generate custom gene editors that match or surpass the performance of naturally occurring CRISPR systems, opening new pathways for precision medicine and therapeutic development. Despite the vast diversity of CRISPR-Cas proteins found in nature, many are not optimally suited for specific medical applications. Traditional protein engineering methods often involve tradeoffs in efficiency, specificity, or delivery, limiting their real-world utility. Profluent’s AI-driven approach offers a scalable alternative to both directed evolution and structure-guided mutagenesis, enabling the rapid design of novel, high-performance gene editing systems. “With this Nature publication, we’ve demonstrated at the highest scientific standard that our AI models can create gene editors with unprecedented novelty and functional diversity—exceeding what evolution has produced,” said Ali Madani, Ph.D., Profluent co-founder and CEO. “We’re transforming biology from a field bound by natural constraints into one where we can design new proteins on demand to tackle some of society’s most urgent challenges.” The new paper builds on a 2024 preprint with additional experimental validation and insights, reinforcing the power of AI in protein engineering. OpenCRISPR-1 has already been accessed by tens of thousands of researchers across academia and industry, highlighting the broad interest in AI-generated tools for gene editing. Hilary Eaton, Ph.D., Profluent’s Chief Business Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to open science and collaboration. “Since launching OpenCRISPR-1, we’ve seen extraordinary engagement from the global research community. By making this technology freely available for ethical research and commercial use, we’re accelerating innovation across therapeutics, biomanufacturing, agriculture, and climate solutions.” To further support this mission, Profluent has open-sourced both the OpenCRISPR-1 sequence and the CRISPR-Cas Atlas—the most comprehensive curated dataset of CRISPR systems to date. The Atlas was instrumental in training Profluent’s models and will now be accessible via GitHub and AddGene, empowering scientists worldwide to explore and build upon the company’s advances. Profluent is building a scalable platform to deliver bespoke gene editors of any modality, tailored to partner needs. With flexible licensing and strong economic models, the company aims to become a central hub for next-generation gene editing innovation. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, Profluent was founded in 2022 and is backed by leading investors including Spark Capital, Insight Partners, Air Street Capital, AIX Ventures, and Convergent Ventures. The company is pioneering a new era in biology, where artificial intelligence serves as a co-creator of life sciences solutions. For more information, visit profluent.bio.