Scientists are harnessing artificial intelligence to uncover new molecules with the potential to revolutionize medicine, tapping into biological data from both living and extinct species. This groundbreaking approach has already led to the discovery of promising antibiotic compounds, some derived from animals that no longer exist.
Researchers recently deployed an advanced system known as DreaMS AI, which analyzes vast databases of mass spectrometry data to identify previously unknown molecular structures. Notably, the technology has uncovered a peptide called mammuthusin, traced back to the extinct woolly mammoth. Experiments have shown that this peptide can kill dangerous bacteria in mice with an effectiveness comparable to polymyxin B, a powerful existing antibiotic.
In addition to mammuthusin, AI-driven antibiotic screens have identified molecules such as abaucin, which specifically targets a WHO-listed critical pathogen and could play a crucial role in combating antibiotic resistance.
By combining insights from ancient DNA with cutting-edge laboratory analysis, artificial intelligence is accelerating scientific discovery and expanding the search for life-saving treatments. This new frontier not only broadens our understanding of nature’s hidden resources but also offers fresh hope in the global battle against drug-resistant infections.
