Source: CIIRC CTU press release
Anton Bushuiev, a PhD student from the Josef Šivic research group at the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU), and his team „Protein-AI“ have achieved a remarkable success, winning first place at the 2024 Sciencepreneurship Summer School in Lausanne, Switzerland. The prestigious event gathered talented young researchers and entrepreneurs from leading institutions, aiming to translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that have a real-world impact.
AI-Powered Solutions to Protein Research
The „Protein-AI“ project, led by Anton and his team, focuses on converting insoluble proteins into soluble ones using artificial intelligence. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize drug discovery, addressing the significant challenge of protein solubility. By utilizing AI, the team aims to drastically speed up the process, making drug development more efficient and accessible.
The project builds on the recent advances in AI and biology. Anton’s expertise in machine learning for protein design, which was recently presented at the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR) 2024, combined with his team member Casper Goverde’s proof of concept for protein solubility, were critical to the development of their startup idea.
A Platform for Entrepreneurial Growth
The Sciencepreneurship Summer School is designed to equip young researchers with the entrepreneurial skills needed to transform their scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications. Founded by scientists from EPFL and ETH Zurich, the program provides participants with essential entrepreneurial knowledge and the opportunity to connect with key players in the global innovation ecosystem.
This year, several prominent organizations got involved in supporting the program, including ELIAS, ETH AI Center, Tubingen AI Center, QBIT Capital VC, Kellerhals Carrard startup law firm, and EPFL Startup Launchpad. Their involvement reflects the growing focus on sustainability and AI, key themes of the 2024 program.
This year’s summer school gathered 40 participants from leading institutions worldwide, focusing on sustainability and artificial intelligence. The event featured lectures, workshops, and hands-on experiences aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research and its practical applications. The program emphasizes the importance of connecting young researchers with experienced entrepreneurs and innovators, fostering the next generation of science leaders.
Reflecting on his experience, Anton stated, „The Sciencepreneurship Summer School provided an incredible opportunity to learn the essentials of launching a startup. The lectures and workshops led by experts, combined with collaboration with like-minded students, offered invaluable insights into both theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurship.“
International Recognition
Anton and his team were judged by an esteemed panel of experts, including Prof. Paul Dyson, Dean of the School of Basic Sciences at EPFL, Prof. Christophe Moser, a photonics sciencepreneur at EPFL, and Dr. Til Schlotter, the winner of the 2023 Sciencepreneurship Summer School pitching competition. The „Protein-AI“ project received the highest scores, standing out among ten competing teams.
Anton Bushuiev continues to focus on AI-driven research, particularly in the field of protein design, and his work is a promising step forward in the application of artificial intelligence to solve complex challenges in biotechnology.
Big congratulations to Anton Bushuiev and his team for their outstanding achievement at the 2024 Sciencepreneurship Summer School.