ON AIR
Artificial intelligence in medicine is reaching remarkable milestones. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed, using generative algorithms, a new generation of antibiotics against drug-resistant gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), two bacteria that pose an increasing challenge to global public health.
Discovery of Antibiotics with Artificial Intelligence
Thanks to the use of AI, the MIT team designed more than 36 million virtual chemical compounds, evaluating their ability to eliminate resistant bacteria. The system analyzed the antimicrobial properties of each molecule and selected those with the greatest therapeutic potential.
These new compounds are structurally distinct from any existing antibiotic, which reduces the likelihood of bacteria developing resistance quickly.
In in vitro tests and animal models, the new AI-designed antibiotics demonstrated:
- Efficacy against MRSA, eliminating resistant skin infections.
- Eradication of multidrug-resistant gonorrhea, even in strains that do not respond to current treatments.
The results suggest that these drugs could become key treatments for resistant bacterial infections.
Towards a New Era of Antibiotics
Experts believe this breakthrough could mark the beginning of a second golden age in antibiotic research. AI applied to pharmacology makes it possible to explore in days what previously took years, accelerating the discovery of life-saving medicines.
Although the potential is enormous, the compounds still need to undergo clinical trials in humans to confirm their safety and effectiveness. It is estimated that it could take several years before they are widely used in hospitals.
