Scientists have created an AI platform for accelerated development of new antibiotics

Scientists from the ITMO University Chemical and Biological cluster were the first in the world to create a screening platform that predicts the effectiveness of combinations of nanoparticles and antibiotics to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The development reduces the search for new effective compounds from several months to a couple of days and in the future will help create new drugs to fight bacteria that are dangerous to humans and resistant to drugs.

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It is based on machine learning models and genetic algorithms, which speed up the search for an effective combination from a few months to a couple of days. Now scientists can not waste time and materials on hundreds of tests, but focus on checking the best options.

"The platform allows for the use of lower doses of both drugs and nanoparticles, reducing the risk of side effects. In addition, it is now more difficult for bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance, as they will have to adapt to two different mechanisms of action simultaneously — the influence of nanoparticles and antibiotics. Our research will help us to quickly select effective combinations to combat multidrug—resistant pathogens that are dangerous to humans," Susan Gyakkhwo, a graduate student at the chemical and biological cluster at ITMO University, told Izvestia.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Nano so nano: AI platform will find an antibiotic against superbugs in a couple of days