Pioneering Technologies in 2024: From Protein Design to Deepfake Detection

The Nature article "Seven technologies to watch in 2024" by Michael Eisenstein highlights several groundbreaking technological advancements poised to shape the future. The article delves into areas like deep learning for protein design, showcasing significant strides in creating functional, synthetic proteins through algorithms like ProtGPT2. The discussion then shifts to deepfake detection, underscoring the increasing sophistication in identifying AI-generated media, crucial in an era of information manipulation. Another focus is large-fragment DNA insertion, which marks a leap in gene-editing therapies, notably for conditions like sickle-cell disease. Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) are spotlighted for their potential in restoring communication for people with neurological impairments. The field of super-resolution microscopy is advancing, bridging the gap to atomic-scale imaging, while cell atlases are emerging as vital tools in understanding human biology at a cellular level. Lastly, the article touches on the innovative 3D printing of nanomaterials, offering new possibilities in materials science. These technologies, collectively, represent the cutting edge of scientific progress, with profound implications across biology, medicine, and engineering.