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In a major advancement in the fight against antibiotic resistance, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a promising new antibiotic using artificial intelligence (AI). Published in the esteemed journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, this breakthrough signifies a pivotal step towards safer and more effective treatments for bacterial infections.
The research team, leveraging a large language model (LLM) akin to the technology behind ChatGPT, successfully re-engineered Protegrin-1—a potent antibiotic naturally produced by pigs. Despite its effectiveness in killing bacteria, Protegrin-1 had been deemed too toxic for human use. The challenge was to preserve its antibacterial potency while eliminating its harmful effects on human cells.
To achieve this, the scientists generated over 7,000 variations of Protegrin-1 using a high-throughput method, enabling rapid identification of modifications that could enhance safety. The LLM was then employed to evaluate these variations for their ability to selectively target bacterial membranes, effectively kill bacteria, and avoid harming human red blood cells. This meticulous AI-guided approach culminated in the creation of a refined version known as bacterially selective Protegrin-1.2 (bsPG-1.2).
Preliminary animal trials yielded promising results. Mice treated with bsPG-1.2 and infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria exhibited a significant reduction in bacterial levels in their organs within six hours. These findings suggest that bsPG-1.2 could potentially advance to human trials, offering hope for combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Claus Wilke, a professor of integrative biology and co-senior author of the study, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on drug development. “Large language models are revolutionizing protein and peptide engineering, making it possible to develop new drugs and improve existing ones more efficiently. This technology not only identifies potential new treatments but also speeds up their path to clinical application,” Wilke stated.
This breakthrough underscores the immense potential of AI in addressing critical health challenges, particularly in the realm of antibiotic resistance. As AI continues to evolve, it promises to play a crucial role in developing innovative treatments and accelerating their journey from the lab to clinical practice.
