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If we can accurately predict protein structures (particularly multiple structures, or structures reflecting what the conformation is in cells), then we can do a couple things:

  - better predict drug binding to proteins (massive benefits if accurate)

  - better understand the functional outcomes of missense mutations on proteins

  - study protein-protein interactions

  - and in general, just gain a better understanding of biology (which is driven by proteins and their reactions/interactions)



More ominously, this makes it easier for the gain-of-function researchers to more accurately engineer their viruses to bind to human receptors.


Or vaccine researchers to more accurately engineer antibodies/drugs to bind to viruses or cancer cells.




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