Researchers at Scripps Research have developed T7-ORACLE, a synthetic biology platform capable of accelerating protein evolution by thousands of times natural rates. This 'evolution engine' utilizes engineered bacteria coupled with a modified viral replication system to rapidly generate protein variants with novel or improved functions. The technology has demonstrated success in evolving enzymes that resist antibiotic stress, offering a powerful tool for fast-tracking the development of new medicines, cancer therapies, and biotechnological innovations.