Diffusion models in bioinformatics and computational biology

Denoising diffusion models embody a type of generative artificial intelligence that can be applied in computer vision, natural language processing and bioinformatics. In this Review, we introduce the key concepts and theoretical foundations of three diffusion modelling frameworks (denoising diffusion probabilistic models, noise-conditioned scoring networks and score stochastic differential equations). We then explore their applications in bioinformatics and computational biology, including protein design and generation, drug and small-molecule design, protein–ligand interaction modelling, cryo-electron microscopy image data analysis and single-cell data analysis. Finally, we highlight open-source diffusion model tools and consider the future applications of diffusion models in bioinformatics. Diffusion models are deep-learning-based generative models that can generate new data from input parameters. This Review discusses applications of diffusion models in bioinformatics and computational biology.