AlphaGenome: AI Reads "Junk" DNA

On February 23, 2026, Nature magazine published a DeepMind paper on the new AlphaGenome model. The system has learned to predict the effects of mutations in non-coding DNA regions, processing sequences up to a million nucleotides long.

Previously, 98% of our genome was considered "junk DNA" as it did not directly code for proteins. AlphaGenome proves that this is a highly complex control panel for the body. The model allows identifying hidden genetic causes of rare and oncological diseases, opening the path to personalized gene therapy.

Source: Nature / DeepMind