To feed an AI that designs new enzymes, Basecamp Research hunts rare proteins at the world’s end

Not many AI companies have expeditions to the rainforest on the calendar, or need scientists who’ve lived in Antarctica on the payroll.

“One of them was the diving instructor for Jason Momoa,” said Philipp Lorenz, chief technology officer at Basecamp Research. “She’s one of our field scientists.”

Basecamp Research, headquartered in London, positions itself as the “bridge between biodiversity and biotech.” Its partnerships with local organizations around the globe aim to help communities understand and preserve their local biodiversity. However, those partnerships also provide genome sequences to feed the ever-ravenous beast of AI models that companies hope will one day spit out biomolecules that Mother Nature has not yet birthed herself.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — and get additional analysis of the technologies disrupting health care — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Already have an account? Log in

Individual plans

Group plans

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe

Log In