Researchers from the Arc Institute in California, United States, successfully used artificial intelligence to design living bacterial viruses that do not exist in nature. Sixteen genomes produced viable viruses capable of infecting E. coli bacteria and reproducing inside them, in an experiment that opens up medical possibilities while also raising concerns related to biosecurity and the potential future misuse of the technology, according to the US newspaper The New York Times.
From 700,000 designs to 16 live viruses
The team relied on an artificial intelligence model called Evo, which was trained to read the DNA patterns of around two million viruses. The model produced nearly 700,000 hypothetical genetic designs, after which the researchers screened the results and synthesized 300 of them in the laboratory.
The scientists tested 285 genomes, 16 of which successfully produced viable viruses. The designed viruses resemble Phi X-174 and belong to the bacteriophage class, which targets only bacteria and poses no danger to humans.
Potential medical applications
Scientists believe the technology could contribute to the development of gene therapies, vaccines and drugs, deepen understanding of viruses, and help create treatments for bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
Precautions fail to dispel concerns
As a precautionary measure to limit the risks of misuse, the researchers did not train the model on viruses that infect humans, animals or plants. Nevertheless, the experiment prompted warnings that artificial intelligence could in the future be used to design dangerous pathogens or biological weapons, strengthening calls for legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks governing these capabilities.
