Scientists are using AlphaFold to strengthen a vital photosynthesis enzyme (GLYK), paving the way for more resilient, heat-tolerant crops that can adapt to a warming climate and help secure food prod…

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DeepMind

Researchers at Michigan State University are using AlphaFold to engineer heat-resistant crops by studying the glycerate kinase (GLYK) enzyme critical to photosynthesis. By predicting 3D structures of GLYK from both plants and heat-loving algae, they identified three flexible loops that destabilize at high temperatures. The team created hybrid enzymes by replacing unstable plant loops with rigid algae versions, achieving stability up to 65°C. This approach could help develop crops resilient to rising global temperatures and secure future food production.

How AlphaFold is helping scientists engineer more heat-tolerant crops