Claude discovers a novel enzyme system with CRISPR-like repeats

Anthropic's new life sciences research group has used Claude to discover a novel enzyme system with CRISPR-like characteristics by analyzing DNA datasets and generating hypotheses at scale. The system, based on a reverse transcriptase enzyme found in a jumbo phage, features an array of non-coding DNA sequences and an accessory protein of unknown function—characteristics that suggest it may perform programmable DNA operations similar to established systems like CRISPR. This discovery demonstrates how AI can systematize and accelerate biological research when collaborating with human scientists throughout the research process.