Where can we get “ideas” for custom proteins that neutralize snake venom toxins? Scientists decided to check how artificial intelligence deals with this. And – well – it turns out that he “gets it” really well.
Every year around the world, bites from poisonous snakes kill about 100,000 people. The most dangerous toxins include the so-called “three-finger” toxins that can paralyze muscles, leading to cardiac and respiratory arrest. Traditional serums are, yes, effective, but also… expensive, time-consuming to produce and require obtaining snake venom in a rather brutal and dangerous process.
How does AI help design proteins that neutralize venom?
In a study published in Nature researchers describe how generative artificial intelligence, using a model called RFdiffusion, can design proteins capable of binding and neutralizing toxins from snake venom. This model’s operation is similar to, for example, DALL-E, however, it does not create graphics, but molecular “designs” of proteins. Thanks to prior training based on known structures, AI can assemble complex proteins from scratch, adapting them to a specific purpose – in this case, to neutralize toxins.
In the lab, researchers produced the AI-designed proteins and tested their effectiveness on human cells exposed to black-necked cobra venom. The results were really good: the proteins prevented cell death, and in mouse studies, all test animals survived the administration of a lethal dose of toxins when the AI-developed proteins were used. The use of technology allows for the quick and cheap creation of non-standard proteins, minimizing the risks associated with obtaining venom and improving the effectiveness of therapy that can be used around the world.
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This is not the end of the research
This is just the beginning – and the effectiveness of the method has already been demonstrated. However, for the fruits of the new technique to reach hospitals, further tests are necessary to exclude the possibility of undesirable protein binding in human tissues. However, there is cautious optimism within the team. Proteins can be freely tailored to specific toxins. Producing computer-designed proteins is cheaper than traditional sera and is also safer, eliminating the need to directly handle snake venom. However, it will take years to put the innovation into use and it will be necessary to optimize protein production on a mass scale. The high cost to market is a factor, even though the technology itself will ultimately reduce costs.
Thanks to artificial intelligence, we hope to provide more effective treatment and save thousands of lives every year. It is also proof of how AI can change medicine for the better. It must be admitted that generative artificial intelligence has a lot of applications, and this is definitely one of the most useful ones.
Source: antyweb.pl
