Scientists Use AI to Resurrect , Neanderthal and Denisovan Molecules.<br />Vox reports that scientists have resurrected molecules <br />with antibiotic properties found in extinct organisms, <br />specifically from Neanderthals and Denisovans. .<br />Vox reports that scientists have resurrected molecules <br />with antibiotic properties found in extinct organisms, <br />specifically from Neanderthals and Denisovans. .<br />Neanderthals are believed to have gone extinct <br />40,000 years ago, while Denisovans are thought to have <br />survived until as recently as 15,000 to 30,000 years ago.<br />Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's <br />Machine Biology Group say the breakthrough <br />opens the door to "molecular de-extinction.".<br />The team trained an AI model to determine <br />which molecules could make effective <br />antibiotic treatments for modern humans. .<br />Those molecules were then created <br />in a lab and tested on infected mice. .<br />According to the team's findings, which were published <br />in the journal 'Cell Host & Microbe,' some of the <br />molecules effectively fought off bacterial infections.<br />According to the team's findings, which were published <br />in the journal 'Cell Host & Microbe,' some of the <br />molecules effectively fought off bacterial infections.<br />This is completely new. <br />We came up with the term <br />‘molecular de-extinction’ and this <br />is the first peer-reviewed paper that <br />describes it. So it’s quite exciting for us, César de la Fuente, Co-author of the study, via 'Vox' .<br />Vox reports that molecular de-extinction could create <br />avenues for developing new antibiotics, at a time when <br />the CDC has warned we are entering a post-antibiotic era.<br />Vox reports that molecular de-extinction could create <br />avenues for developing new antibiotics, at a time when <br />the CDC has warned we are entering a post-antibiotic era.<br />Due to the overuse of antibiotics in the treatment <br />of humans, animals and crops, bacteria <br />have adapted to drugs used to treat them. .<br />Along with other recent discoveries, molecular <br />de-extinction is just one creative method being <br />combined with AI for antibiotic discovery.
