AI hunts for new antibiotics in mammoths, Neanderthals, and snake venom
Scientists are using AI to resurrect ancient molecules to fight superbugs.
Deep Dive
A scientist is using AI to hunt for new antibiotics by analyzing over a million genetic sequences from unexpected sources, including extinct species like Neanderthals and woolly mammoths, as well as snake and spider venom. This addresses the critical threat of antimicrobial resistance, which is linked to over 4 million deaths annually and could surpass 8 million by 2050. The AI scans for novel peptides to combat drug-resistant bacteria.
Why It Matters
This AI-driven approach could break the stalled antibiotic pipeline and save millions of lives from drug-resistant infections.