Proteins can be redesigned at 15% sequence identity; watermark survival is the real challenge
bennash · x · 2026-10-04
Protein design researcher Sergey Ovchinnikov (@sokrypton) notes:
- With current tools it is routine to redesign proteins to as low as 30% sequence identity from the starting point while preserving structure and function; theoretically one can go as low as 15% (nature does it).
- The real challenge: adding a watermark to AI-designed proteins that survives 70–85% random mutations.
- Directly relevant to ongoing debates on provenance and watermarking of AI-generated sequences.
Related event: Watermarking AI-Designed Proteins Proves Fragile Against Redesign(2 posts)→
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