- Researchers analyzed antigens from a family of viruses to create a ‘superantigen’
- The new development method could help quickly create safe new vaccines against pandemics
- AI vaccines could be developed to fight Ebola, seasonal influenza viruses and bird flu
In a world first, researchers at the University of Cambridge have used artificial intelligence to develop a new vaccine.
Using genetic code collected from global virus surveillance programs, researchers have assembled a “superantigen” using AI that is capable of defending the human body from an entire family of pathogens—even if they mutate.
The vaccine has already undergone a human trial targeting the coronavirus, and the results show that while the effects on the immune system were “modest”, the science shows great promise as a way to rapidly develop vaccines for viruses capable of pandemic-level infection.
Early stages of AI developed vaccines
The research team from the University of Cambridge used an AI model to analyze the antigens found in a family of viruses. Similar to the DNA of our cells, antigens are the parts of viruses that the immune system recognizes to trigger an immune response.
If the immune system does not recognize an antigen as hostile, the virus can quickly replicate and cause an infection. The same can be the case if a virus develops or mutates, as the immune system will not immediately recognize the new antigen.
“We are always behind,” said Professor Jonathan Heeney of the University of Cambridge BBC News. “What we’re trying to do is get ahead of the curve. This is about making vaccines that protect us, not just against today’s viruses, but protect us against what might cause the next outbreak or disease. This is a fundamental shift in how we prepare for pandemics.”
The vaccine is due to undergo a second trial with 200 people to provide a greater understanding of its effects on the human body and its effectiveness in tackling viral infections.
Prof Saul Faust, who carried out some of the trials at the University of Southampton, said: “What’s really interesting is that the technology is much better at designing vaccines for potential pandemics as viruses change.”
While typical vaccine development for a new virus can take upwards of a decade and hundreds of millions of dollars, there is hope that AI can help rapidly develop vaccines that are safe and broadly effective, reducing the need to develop highly specialized vaccines to target specific viruses and instead developing a single vaccine to target an entire family of viruses.
The technology also shows promise in treating viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as the Ebola virus, as well as seasonal flu vaccines and the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has the potential to evolve to infect humans, which experts predict could cause a global pandemic.
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