The Power of Evo 2: AI Meets DNA

Evo 2 is the largest AI model for biology ever created, trained on an astonishing 9.3 trillion DNA "letters" (nucleotides) carefully selected from genomes spanning the entire tree of life. This massive dataset ensures that Evo 2 can recognize patterns and relationships in genetic sequences at an unparalleled scale.

For the first time, scientists can design DNA with AI, moving beyond simple sequence analysis to active DNA generation. Evo 2 enables researchers to predict, modify, and even create entire genetic sequences, opening new possibilities in medicine, agriculture, and synthetic biology.

Decoding the Dark Genome

One of the biggest challenges in genetics is understanding the non-coding regions of DNA—vast stretches of the genome that do not code for proteins but play crucial roles in regulating gene expression. These regions control when and how genes are activated, influencing everything from development to disease.

Evo 2 is designed to decode these non-coding elements, helping researchers uncover their functions and use this knowledge to develop gene-based therapies, synthetic life forms, and precision agriculture solutions.

From Reading DNA to Writing It

To put Evo 2’s impact into perspective:

• Previous AI models could "read" DNA like a book, analyzing genetic sequences and identifying patterns.
• Evo 2 can "write" entirely new DNA, designing functional genes, chromosomes, and even full genomes from scratch.

This means scientists can now engineer biological systems with AI, designing new proteins, metabolic pathways, and genetic circuits to address real-world challenges.

A Step Toward Generative Biology

The Arc Institute describes Evo 2 as a major step toward "generative biology"—a revolutionary approach where AI is used to create novel biological structures rather than just analyzing existing ones. This could lead to breakthroughs such as:

• New medicines: AI-generated enzymes and proteins tailored for targeted therapies.
• Disease-resistant crops: Genetically optimized plants for higher yield and climate resilience.
• Synthetic organisms: Custom-designed microbes for bioremediation, biofuel production, and industrial applications.

An Open-Source Revolution

Unlike many proprietary AI models, Evo 2 is open source, making its capabilities accessible to researchers worldwide. This democratization of AI-driven biology means that scientists from different disciplines can collaborate, experiment, and innovate, accelerating discoveries in genetic engineering and synthetic biology.

With Evo 2, the boundaries of what’s possible in DNA design, genetic engineering, and biological innovation are being redrawn. The future of life sciences is no longer just about understanding life’s code—it’s about writing it.

Faculty Positions
The Central University of Punjab (CUP), Bathinda will be having the Schools and Departments as given in Table-I. The University invites applications from eligible candidates for the posts of Professors (Pay Band Rs. 37400-67000 with AGP of Rs. 10, 000/-), Associate Professors (Pay Band Rs.37400-67000 with AGP of Rs. 9,000/-) and Assistant Professors (Pay Band Rs.15600-39100 with AGP of Rs. 6,000/-)

POSITION AVAILABLE IN THE AREA OF SPECIALIZTION

3. Bioinformatics,

Procedure to apply: Application forms along with API form complete in all respect along with necessary documents and application fee of Rs. 750/-. (Rs. 250/- for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Person with disabilities) should be sent to:

Registrar (Officiating)
Central University of Punjab
City Campus, Mansa Road
Bathinda-151 001

Application forms from the prospective candidates are accepted upto November 10, 2014.

Based on the qualification of the candidates and the need of the university, the applications received will be processed through appropriately constituted selection committees shortly. Minimum qualification can be relaxed in case of exceptionally outstanding candidate. For further details visit www.cup.ac.in; www.centralunipunjab.com; www.cup.edu.in

The candidate should download the application form available at website www.cup.ac.in;
www.centralunipunjab.com; and submit it complete in all respects on or before 10th November 2014.

Those who have applied earlier need to submit Academic Performance Index (API) form, 5 copies of Summary of the Application Form (available at: www.cup.ac.in; www.centralunipunjab.com and Updated CV if not updated recently (without application fee).

http://cup.edu.in/Faculty_details_and_general_instructions.pdf

http://cup.edu.in/Final%20Application%20and%20summary%20Sheet%20and%20Api%20form.pdf

That is the challenge researchers face when studying how bacteria adapt to different environments. A bacterial gene may appear to be linked to a particular habitat, when the real reason is simply that closely related bacteria happen to live there.

In their 2025 Genome Biology paper, Bujdoš, Walter, and O’Toole introduce aurora, a machine-learning tool designed to tackle this problem.

Aurora identifies potentially mislabeled or unusual bacterial strains before performing genome-wide association studies (GWAS). By cleaning up the dataset and accounting for bacterial evolutionary relationships, it can help researchers find genetic features that are more genuinely connected to habitat adaptation.

The researchers tested aurora using simulated and real bacterial datasets and found that it could recover important genetic associations even when datasets contained misleading labels.

The bigger lesson is simple: better biological discoveries often begin with better data.

Aurora gives researchers a new way to separate real genetic clues from misleading ones—and could help us better understand how bacteria adapt, survive, and evolve in the environments they call home.

Based on Bujdoš et al., “aurora: a machine learning GWAS tool for analyzing microbial habitat adaptation,” Genome Biology (2025).[Read the original paper](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13059-025-03524-7?)

Details are available at www.nehu.ac.in and www.bicnehu.ac.in.

Applications must reach the undersigned within 15 days from the date of publication of this advertisement.

Prof. Pramod Tandon. PI/Mr. Devendra Kumar Biswal (Co-PI)

Research Directions

Stony corals: evolution of novelty and photosymbiosis

Symbiotic acoels: cell type evolution and photosymbiosis

Animal genomes: structural evolution and gene regulation

https://sgel.biodiv.tw/home

Applicants should hold a PhD or a first class MSc/MTech degree in Bioinformatics of Biotechnology/Life Sciences; experience in using bioinformatics tools, working in Linux and knowledge of computer network administration.

Submit CV and letter of interest by email to: Dr. Dinesh Gupta atdinesh@icgeb.res.in

Webinar on 'An integrated RNA and DNA approach to unravel genetic regulation in cancer'

Abstract

Whole exome DNA sequencing (WES) or whole genome DNA sequencing (WGS) allows detection of mutations and polymorphisms in all exonic and genomic regions, respectively, while messenger RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) enables quantitative analysis of gene expression. Mutations in the genome result in diverse transcriptional aberrations that can be missed in a stand-alone WES/WGS analysis. An integration of DNA variant analysis and RNA-Seq analysis enables one to investigate the consequences of genomic changes in the RNA transcripts including germline and somatic changes, imprinting, RNA editing and allele specific expression (ASE). In this webinar, we will demonstrate this integrated approach using Strand NGS to identify high confidence mutations, RNA editing events and ASE in cancer.

Webinar Details

Register here: http://www.strand-ngs.com/webinar_registration

About Speaker:

Dr. Veena Hedatale, has a PhD in Plant Genetics from The Radboud University, Netherlands focused on meiosis and recombination. Her prior academic experience at Cornell University was on genetic mapping and gene transformation in Rice. She has worked with Monsanto, and contributed to data mining, database development as well as gene/promoter/pathway discovery for traits related to yield and stress in crop species. At Strand, Veena has worked on Pharmacogenomic analysis of targets and Gene family analysis projects. Currently, she is part of the Strand NGS Application Science team and is involved in the analysis of next generation sequencing data.

Please feel free to contact us 24/5, for availing free online training or if you have any questions.

Email: admin@niab.org.in Telephones: +91 40 2304 9403 Telefax: +91 40 2304 2740
Advertisement No: 5/2014

About NIAB National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad, an autonomous institute under the aegis of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, is aimed to harness novel and emerging biotechnologies and create knowledge in the cutting edge areas for improving animal health and productivity.

Applications are invited for the following temporary research positions to work in ongoing DBTBBSRC sponsored research project entitled “Transcriptome Analysis in Indian buffalo and the Genetics of Innate Immunity” at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad.

(A) Project Scientist – Level B (One Position)

Emoluments: Rs. 15600 + GP Rs. 5400 + 30 % HRA p.m. (Total emoluments will be Rs. 49,770/-p.m. for the duration of the project)

Essential Qualification: Candidates having M.V.Sc. in Veterinary Microbiology / Veterinary Pathology / Veterinary Public Health / Ph.D. degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or any other related field from the recognized university are eligible to apply.

The candidate should have a good academic record and research experience as evidenced from published in standard referred journals / patents.

Desirable: Candidates having research experience in the area of tissue culture, genomics, Transcriptomics and Advanced Molecular Biology will be given preference.

Age Limit: Not exceeding 30 years as on last date of the submission of the application.

(B) Research Associate in Bioinformatics (One position)

Fellowship: Rs. 22,000 + 30 % HRA

Essential Qualification: Candidates having Ph.D. degree or M.Tech. with three years of
experience in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences or any other related field are eligible to apply.

Desirable: Candidate having research experience in the area of next generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis, Genome wide association studies, Genomic selection, advance genomic data analysis etc., will be given preference. The candidate should have a good academic record and research experience as evidenced from published papers in standard journals / patents.

Age Limit: Not exceeding 30 years as on last date of the submission of the application.

Project Duration: The duration of the project is Three years and the positions are co- terminus with the duration of the project. (Initial appointment will be for one year and further extension will be granted based on annual review).

Mode of submission of application: Only online applications are to be submitted through
www.niab.org.in on or before 08 December, 2014. Link for online submission of applications will be available from 10 November 2014.

Advertisement: www.niab.org.in/Notifications/Advt_5_2014/Advt_5_2014.pdf

Abstract: Strand NGS supports an extensive workflow for the analysis and visualization of RNA-Seq data. The workflow includes Transcriptome / Genome alignment, Differential expression analysis with Statistical approach and Splicing events detection. Strand NGS also supports novel discovery like identification of novel genes, exons and Novel splice junctions, alongside it can also detect gene fusion events. Further downstream analysis such as GO and pathway analysis can be performed on the set of interesting genes. The product has an option to create pipelines for time consuming jobs which automates analysis and leaves more time for end data interpretation. This webinar will give an overview of the features in the RNA-Seq data analysis workflow in Strand NGS and also highlights on parameters within each feature that can be optimized depending on datasets and analysis needs.

Speaker: Mr. Sugandan Sivamani, Senior Application Scientist, Strand Life Sciences

Date: 9th Nov, Session 1 for SAPK/ APFO: 2:30 PM IST Date: 9th Nov, Session 2 for AFO/ EMEA: 9:00 AM PST

Register here http://www.strand-ngs.com/webinar_registration