Anthropic announced on 23-24 September 2026 that its Claude AI model identified a previously unknown enzyme system called array-associated reverse transcriptases (ART). The system was found in bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, and the finding was produced through analysis of DNA sequence data by Claude-powered software agents.
Array-Associated Reverse Transcriptases
Array-associated reverse transcriptases (ART) include a reverse transcriptase enzyme, a partner gene of unknown function, and an array of evenly spaced DNA repeat sequences. Reverse transcriptases are enzymes that synthesise DNA from an RNA template, and they occur in several biological systems, including retroviruses and mobile genetic elements.
Claude AI and Biological Discovery
About 950 Claude-powered software agents analysed a large DNA sequence database for 21 hours and processed 210 million tokens of data. Anthropic described the result as the first output from its life sciences research group and wet lab, which was established in the San Francisco Bay Area in spring 2026.
CRISPR and Gene Editing Context
ART shows structural similarities to the CRISPR gene-editing system, which uses guide RNA and CRISPR-associated proteins to target specific DNA sequences. The precise biological function of ART remains unknown, and initial experiments suggest that the system may be programmable.
Important Facts for Exams
- CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.
- Reverse transcriptase was first identified in retroviruses and is used to make complementary DNA from RNA.
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are among the most abundant biological entities on Earth.
- Preprints are scientific papers shared before peer review and formal journal publication.
Research Status and Expert Review
The research was released as a preprint and has not yet undergone peer review. Feng Zhang, a researcher associated with CRISPR genome editing, reviewed the preprint and described the RNA-repeat arrays associated with reverse transcriptases as worthy of further investigation.
