AI has changed what’s easy in protein engineering. Structure prediction, de novo binder and antibody design, developability and immunogenicity triage, sequence optimization - work that took years now takes months and even days. The harder question is what that actually buys us. A pipeline moves at the speed of its slowest step, and a step getting cheaper only shortens the timeline if that step was the one holding things up. Our discussion takes that question seriously across the modalities defining the field today - antibodies, ADCs, nanobodies - and look into the future of engineered proteins: transcription factors, enzymes and proteins with previously unseen properties. Walking from sequence to clinic, we look at each step and ask how AI already deliver on safer bets like antibodies and where there is an opportunity to shack up the field of protein design to accelerate research, answer biological questions and expand treatment options. Meet the speakers: Kavita Kulkarni is a Principal PM for AI Research at Biohub, where she works on biological foundation models. Previously at Google Research, she was Global Head for Scientific collaborations in Biomedical Intelligence and co-invented the AI Co-Scientist, in addition to contributing to MedPaLM, Med-Gemini, and AMIE. She holds Stanford graduate fellowships in BioDesign & Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, and her work sits at the intersection of AI, biology, and clinical impact. Nikita Savelyev is MSAT scientist with 8 years of expertise in production of biologics, in particular ADCs. He brings up expertise in optimizing ADC production, in particular - payload and linker chemistry and bioconjugation. RIco Meinl is product lead for applied AI team at Retro Biosciences. His team designed new versions of Yamanaka factors to convert somatic cells into stem cells more efficiently. He and his team now integrate AI and robotics to engineer transcription factors with the goal to develop therapies that extend human healt
This is a casual 5K running event held weekly in San Francisco for builders and founders. Participants run at a relaxed pace and connect socially afterwards over coffee. It provides an opportunity to meet other startup builders in an informal setting outdoors.
Kernel 6 Launch Party features readings and conversations with contributing writers from the latest issue of Kernel. The event offers attendees a chance to engage with the content and enjoy food in a social setting. It is suited for anyone interested in literary and creative publishing in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Fidget Camp is a weeklong makeathon in San Francisco focusing on DIY creative exploration with hands-on workshops led by participants. The event showcases collaborative artworks from diverse creators such as pranksters, digital gardeners, and puzzle designers. Attendees can experience innovative art and maker projects in a community-driven environment.
This event is a 3v3 basketball tournament for developers, founders, and technical builders to compete for cash and sponsor prizes while networking. It is designed to bring together members of the tech community for friendly competition and social connection before the MongoDB .local Build Fest. Teams compete in a group stage and knockout rounds culminating in a final and awards ceremony.
This event gathers founders, engineers, product builders, traders, and fintech operators to discuss how AI agents interact with money. Participants walk and converse about emerging infrastructure challenges and safety questions in connecting AI agents to financial accounts. It is designed for those building or curious about AI-driven fintech technologies and workflows.
Early-stage founders building on Baseten present their AI models and inference stacks, sharing technical stories and challenges. The event targets engineers and technical founders interested in AI inference technology. It provides a stage for demos and networking in the San Francisco Bay Area.