Google DeepMind reports that its AlphaFold system is being used to help engineer more resilient crops. The work focuses on a photosynthesis enzyme, which scientists are attempting to strengthen so that plants can better withstand higher temperatures.
By leveraging AlphaFold's ability to predict protein structures, the researchers can identify modifications that may improve the enzyme's stability under heat stress. This is part of a broader effort to adapt agriculture to a warming climate.
The blog describes the approach as a step toward developing crops that maintain productivity in hotter conditions. No field trial results or yield data are provided; the piece is an early-stage research update.