Antibiotics are a potent group of drugs that fight against bacterial infection. In 1928, Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered the first true antibiotic, Penicillin. Since then, many life-saving classes of antibiotics have been discovered until 1987. However, this powerful medicine has an Achilles heel as well. Over time, bacteria can develop a resistance against antibiotics, meaning they become less effective against that bacteria. Scientists have been trying to discover new antibiotic classes to counter this future. Just recently, researchers at MIT have announced their discovery of a new antibiotic class with the help of AI.
Exciting news from MIT researchers who've harnessed AI to discover new antibiotics! These compounds not only target MRSA in the lab and in mouse models but also show low toxicity to human cells—a huge leap forward in creating effective drugs. #MRSA #Innovation #AIHealthcare… pic.twitter.com/0f056BVRJ9
— DoctorX.AI (@DoctorXme) December 25, 2023
A team of 21 researchers from MIT used an AI to identify an antibiotic class with a Graph Neural Network that analyzed over 12 million chemical compounds. It identified substructures that showed antibiotic behaviors, helping them discover an entirely new class of antibiotics. This antibiotic class would be effective against gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. MRSA is very dangerous and can cause mild skin infections and severe life-threatening conditions. According to Harvard, there are 80,000 infections and 11,000 deaths in the US alone each year.
AI gives new hope to medical research
The AI used in the research opens the door to further improvement and discovery. Even at an early stage, these antibiotics have proven to be useful in mouse models. Scientists hope that these antibiotics will soon be available for therapeutic use. Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering and Science in MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and Department of Biological Engineering, James Collins, stated that “we could see what was being learned by the models to make their predictions that certain molecules would make for good antibiotics.”
"MIT researchers utilized deep learning models to uncover a groundbreaking class of antibiotics, potentially combatting drug-resistant bacteria, spearheaded by Dr. Jim Collins. Learn more about this revolutionary AI discovery at https://t.co/H7xcymkOQp #AI #Innovation #MIT" pic.twitter.com/mjMR0FEJNu
— itinai.com (@itinaicom) December 25, 2023
This discovery ends the Antibiotic Dry Spell since 1987, the last time a new Antibiotic class was discovered. It might also mark the beginning of the Antibiotics Golden Age. It also shows the potential of Artificial Intelligence in medical and research fields. The new antibiotics class is a turning point in medical science and shows the capabilities of AI and technologies in the medical field.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by Artem Podrez.
Source: Nature / Harvard Health Publishing / EurekAlert!
