In this week’s edition of The Prototype, we explore a groundbreaking AI model that could revolutionize drug discovery, the potential impact of the Trump/Musk feud on NASA, a new class of electronics, and more. Sign up to receive The Prototype in your inbox here.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognized Deepmind’s Demis Hassabis and John Jumper for their work on AlphaFold, an AI model that predicts protein structures. Building on this, a team from MIT and Recursion, with support from Cancer Grand Challenges, has developed Boltz-2. This generative AI model not only predicts protein structures but also their binding affinity, aiding in the search for new medicines.
Meanwhile, the Trump/Musk feud could jeopardize NASA missions, with SpaceX potentially bearing the brunt of cancelled contracts. SpaceX, now a profitable company, plays a crucial role in NASA’s operations, launching more than half of its space missions last year.
In a discovery of the week, researchers at Virginia Tech have invented a more durable and recyclable circuit board made of a soft plastic embedded with liquid metal. This circuit board can self-repair and is easy to recycle.
Ispace’s second moon landing attempt failed due to communication issues, highlighting the challenges of space exploration.
In other news, solar panels in drought-prone grasslands boost soil moisture levels, a new compound shows promise against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Amazon is testing humanoid robots for package delivery, and diatoms could be introduced to the Moon’s soil for crop growth.
And for a pro science tip, research suggests that drinking coffee may promote healthy aging, especially for women in midlife. A recent analysis, which monitored nearly 50,000 women for over three decades, revealed that those who consumed coffee (especially with caffeine) were more likely to age healthily, maintaining their physical and cognitive well-being across various parameters compared to those who drank tea or decaf.
In terms of entertainment, as a middle-aged dad, I find joy in hard rock music and military history. The Swedish metal band Sabaton combines both of these interests by creating heavy ballads about historic battles and the brave individuals who fought in them. Some of my favorite tracks from Sabaton include “Night Witches” (depicting an all-female Soviet bomber regiment in WWII), “The Last Stand” (narrating the defense of Rome by the Swiss Guards in 1527), “Blood of Bannockburn” (celebrating a significant victory in the War of Scottish Independence), and “To Hell And Back” (honoring American WWII hero Audie Murphy). Their music is akin to Schoolhouse Rock but with exceptional guitar solos.
For more engaging content, check out Forbes’ articles such as “Tesla’s Newest Nightmare Is Donald Trump” by Alan Ohnsman, “Forbes Small Business Toolkit–For The Trump Era” by Kelly Phillips Erb, and “The WNBA’s Most Valuable Teams 2025” by Brett Knight.
