In a quest to tackle one of the most pressing global health challenges, Césa de la Fuente, a bioengineer and computational biologist at the University of Pennsylvania, is leveraging artificial intelligence to discover new antibiotics. As a teenager, de la Fuente identified antimicrobial resistance as a critical issue, and two decades later, the situation has only worsened, with drug-resistant infections linked to over a million deaths annually. A recent study in The Lancet warns that this figure could rise dramatically in the coming years, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions in antibiotic discovery.
To combat this crisis, de la Fuente’s team is utilizing AI to explore the genetic blueprints of various organisms for peptides that possess antibiotic properties. By analyzing genomes, they aim to identify and assemble these peptides—molecules made up of amino acids—into configurations that may not even exist in nature. Their research has already revealed potential candidates hidden within the genetic sequences of ancient single-celled organisms known as archaea, as well as venom from snakes, wasps, and spiders. In a groundbreaking initiative termed “molecular de-extinction,” de la Fuente’s team is even investigating genetic sequences from extinct species, including Neanderthals and woolly mammoths, to uncover antimicrobial compounds that could be effective against modern pathogens.
Despite the challenges of antibiotic development, including high costs and lengthy timelines, de la Fuente remains optimistic. He and his collaborators have accumulated a library of over a million genetic sequences that could lead to the next generation of antimicrobial treatments. While the path to transforming these peptides into viable drugs is complex, with many details yet to be worked out, de la Fuente believes that AI’s ability to mine and analyze biological data offers a promising avenue for addressing antimicrobial resistance. As the fight against drug-resistant infections intensifies, de la Fuente’s innovative approach exemplifies the potential of AI to revolutionize antibiotic discovery and ultimately save lives.
Source: The scientist using AI to hunt for antibiotics just about everywhere via MIT Technology Review