Researchers at the University of Cambridge have used artificial intelligence to develop a new type of vaccine to protect against viruses and prevent pandemics, marking the first time in history that a vaccine designed entirely by AI has entered human trials.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have used artificial intelligence to develop a new type of vaccine to protect against viruses and prevent pandemics, marking the first time in history that a vaccine designed entirely by AI has entered human trials.
This "fundamentally new" type of vaccine, in which artificial intelligence has completely designed the active component, is designed to prepare the immune system for entire families of viruses, writes Dexerto.
Current vaccines are designed against specific strains, and as they constantly mutate, they become obsolete. But instead of analyzing an existing strain of the virus, the Cambridge team tasked AI with designing a “superantigen.”
By loading the genetic codes of various coronavirus strains into artificial intelligence, he created a superantigen capable of preparing the immune system for an entire family of viruses, including those transmitted from animals.
“The idea is to create one vaccine that, thanks to the family relationships of viruses, will overcome them all,” said Professor Jonathan Heaney of the University of Cambridge. “AI doesn’t just predict, it targets what is vital for that family of viruses. We are hitting the element in the structure of the virus family that the virus cannot easily change.”
This is the first time in history that a vaccine designed entirely by AI has entered human trials. The first study, involving 39 healthy volunteers, showed that the vaccine is safe. It induced an immune response against SARS-CoV-2, SARS, as well as viruses originating from bats that could cause future pandemics.
In the next stage, the drug moves to phase II clinical trials involving more than 200 volunteers.
