A system called Coscientist uses artificial intelligence to search for instructions online, then designs and executes experiments to synthesize chemical molecules.
Introduction
Chemists have used ChatGPT to design and conduct complex chemical reactions using a robotic lab setup. The system named Coscientist can design, encode, and execute several reactions – including the preparation of compounds such as paracetamol and aspirin – in the wet lab using its robotic device. This approach was described in Nature1 on December 20.
Designing and Implementing Reactions
The team ran the system to plan the synthesis of several known molecules, including painkillers paracetamol and aspirin, and the organic molecules nitroaniline and phenolphthalein. During the planning phase, Coscientist was able to identify the steps that would give the highest conversion rate for the reaction overall. The molecules were prepared correctly.
Complex Experiments
The team also attempted a more complex experiment – asking Coscientist to perform a reaction called Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, which forms carbon-carbon bonds and is considered important in drug discovery. The system also succeeded in this test.
Future Applications
Tools like Coscientist are likely to become more widely used, according to Tiago Rodrigues, a pharmaceutical chemist at the University of Lisbon. “I can really see a future where automation devices are equipped with these AI assistants. Autonomous labs are the future, and smart artificial tools are needed to enable full automation of the design, manufacturing, and testing cycle,” he says.
However, Rodrigues adds that most research questions, especially in drug discovery, remain out of reach. “Not only a good understanding of chemistry is required, but also biology,” he says.
Precautions
Coscientist can do most of the things that well-trained chemists can do. Gomes says, “I think about that a lot.” His team has not had free access to the complete code behind their invention, and Gomes states that it is important to think carefully about how to use technologies like Coscientist and ChemCrow, as some applications may be hazardous.
He adds, “I’m not interested in the idea of replacing people and their livelihoods, sparks, creativity, and drive.”
References:
Boiko, D. A., MacKnight, R., Kline, B. & Gomes, G. Nature 624, 570–578 (2023).
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