AI‑made viable bacteriophages

Researchers used genome‑language models to generate nearly 300 bacteriophage genome designs and experimentally tested them, finding about 16 produced viable phages (including Evo‑Φ36 with an unusual protein swap). This demonstrates models can design functional viral genomes, not just plausible sequences, raising novel laboratory, regulatory, and biosecurity questions. — If reproducible, this shifts biosecurity and biotech policy: AI assistance can accelerate creation of viable viral agents, changing risk calculus for publishing, access to models, and lab governance.