New Antibiotic Candidates Unveiled by MIT Researchers using AI
2 min read
MIT researchers have made a breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria using deep learning, a type of artificial intelligence. They have discovered a class of compounds that have the potential to kill methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a widely known and dangerous drug-resistant bacteria.
After conducting experiments in both lab dishes and mouse models, the compounds were found to effectively kill MRSA. What sets these compounds apart is their low toxicity against human cells, making them promising candidates for new drugs.
The researchers went a step further and delved into the information that the deep learning model used to make its predictions. This could potentially allow for the design of even more effective drugs in the future.
The Antibiotics-AI Project at MIT is an ongoing seven-year initiative that aims to discover new classes of antibiotics to combat deadly bacteria. The researchers trained a deep learning model using a vast dataset of compounds and tested their antibiotic activity against MRSA. They also took into account predictions of toxicity against human cells. By combining these factors, they were able to identify compounds that could effectively kill MRSA with minimal adverse effects.
Through their extensive research, the models identified five different classes of compounds that were predicted to be active against MRSA. Out of these, two compounds showed significant promise.
Further testing revealed that these compounds interfere with the bacteria’s ability to maintain an electrochemical gradient across their cell membranes. Ultimately, this disruption leads to the bacteria’s demise.
Excitingly, the researchers have shared their findings with the nonprofit organization Phare Bio for further analysis. They are also in the process of designing additional drug candidates based on their discoveries.
The research received funding from various organizations, including the James S. McDonnell Foundation, the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the Swiss National Science Foundation. These financial contributions highlight the importance and potential impact of this groundbreaking research.
Overall, this discovery of compounds that can effectively kill drug-resistant bacteria offers a glimmer of hope in the battle against such infections. With further research and development, these findings could pave the way for the creation of new and more efficient antibiotics to combat these deadly bacteria.
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