A groundbreaking study led by Professor César de la Fuente from the University of Pennsylvania employs artificial intelligence to identify nearly one million new antibiotic candidates, revolutionizing the fight against antibiotic resistance.
AI Revolutionizes Antibiotic Discovery
Researchers Employ AI to Identify New Antibiotics
A landmark study utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly advanced antibiotic resistance research. Published in the journal Cell on June 5, 2024, the study showcases the efforts of scientists led by Professor César de la Fuente from the University of Pennsylvania’s Machine Biology Group. They developed an algorithm to mine global microbial diversity, identifying nearly one million new molecular candidates for antibiotics.
This innovative approach bypasses traditional, time-consuming methods such as collecting water and soil samples. Instead, the AI algorithm rapidly processes extensive genomic data to predict potential antimicrobial molecules. Validations through chemical synthesis and laboratory testing revealed that 79% of the synthesized molecules could kill at least one type of microbe.
The urgency of this research is highlighted by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) data, which cites antimicrobial resistance as the cause of over 1.2 million deaths in 2019, potentially rising to 10 million annually by 2050.
While acknowledging potential misuse of AI, de la Fuente emphasized the implementation of stringent safeguards. The team’s data and code are publicly accessible, encouraging further scientific exploration. The study aligns with other AI-driven biological research, such as Google’s DeepMind’s AlphaFold, underscoring AI’s transformative potential in science. Professor Anthony Gitter from the University of Wisconsin-Madison lauded the study for its groundbreaking approach, harnessing microbial genomic data and machine learning to advance antibiotic discovery.
Key Details:
- What: AI used for predicting new antibiotics.
- Where: University of Pennsylvania.
- When: Published June 5, 2024.
- Who: Led by Professor César de la Fuente.
This research represents a significant development in the fight against antibiotic resistance, promising to accelerate the discovery process and potentially save millions of lives in the future.
