Anthropic and Citrini report Claude-designed protein binders against scorpion neurotoxins
Anthropic reports that an internal research model, run mostly autonomously for 64 hours, designed protein binders against scorpion neurotoxins: 17 of 211 lab-tested designs bound four dangerous toxins. Anthropic stresses this is exploratory and not an antivenom. The bio-capability and open-release angle is likely to draw dual-use discussion; designs and data were released publicly.
All posts · 11, most important first
- This is exploratory work, and we’re not claiming to have produced an antivenom—for that, we’d have to test the binders within living cells, then in mice, among many other steps. But it’s an example of how Claude can concretely assist research in protein design.30 likes · 0 reposts
- New on our Science Blog: designing protein binders against scorpion neurotoxins. Scorpions sting about 1.2m people every year, and antivenoms are often costly or in short supply. Claude has made an early step toward finding new treatments. anthropic.com/research/claud…441 likes · 72 reposts
- Anthropic gave Citrini access to an unreleased internal bio-research model. Using a 35-page prompt, Claude generated 300 sub-agents and autonomously ran a design campaign, generating 318k candidates and selecting 211 for testing. 17 designs bound across four toxins.24 likes · 0 reposts
- 17 of the 211 met the criteria for a binder. They bound to dangerous toxins produced by scorpions from Mexico, North Africa, and the Middle East (but not by a species from Brazil).52 likes · 3 reposts
- We’re releasing all 211 of the tested designs and the lab data as a resource for scientists: huggingface.co/datasets/Anthr… Read the full technical report: www-cdn.anthropic.com/31ac578806cffd…31 likes · 0 reposts
- Working with @citrini, we asked Claude to design proteins that bind to five scorpion toxins (covering the part of the toxin that latches onto cells). Over the next 64 hours, Claude generated over 300,000 designs; we sent 211 to @adaptyvbio and @TwistBioscience for lab testing.70 likes · 5 reposts
- Well, every company is now if you have access to the Dr Claude model.4 likes · 0 reposts
- 2 likes · 1 reposts
- Official post from Anthropic:2 likes · 0 reposts
- 2 likes · 0 reposts
- Technical report: www-cdn.anthropic.com/31ac578806cffd…1 likes · 0 reposts


