Space data could fix AI's Alzheimer's blind spot
mass balance launched a microgravity lab into orbit to study proteins that google's alphafold cannot model, aiming to close critical data gaps in longevity research.
uk startup mass balance launched a grapefruit-sized autonomous lab into orbit via a spacex transporter to study disordered proteins in microgravity. on earth, gravity causes convection and sedimentation that muddies data, but the company believes zero-gravity conditions will allow for accurate imaging of proteins responsible for alzheimer's and parkinson's. the goal is to generate data to train an ai model adapter, filling a blind spot in models like google's alphafold that cannot predict these protein behaviors. mass balance plans to monetize the model and data licenses, using this initial mission to test the platform's sensors and control elements before analyzing the target proteins.