MIT researchers discover an antibiotic that could target "sleeper" bacteria that evade detection of
MIT News Machine learning 3:06 am on May 23, 2024
MIT researchers discovered semapimod, showing antibiotic properties in drug compounds by using AI for high-throughput screening within a week. Semapimod is effective against Gram-negative bacteria and disrupts their membrane structures, allowing combination with other drugs to enhance efficacy against these highly resistant pathogens.
- Identification of semapimod: Discovery of an antibiotic compound using AI in record time.
- Effective against Gram-negative bacteria**:** Semapimod targets and disrupts these toughly resistant pathogens' outer membranes.
- Unique structure**:** The compound's biological resemblance to other membrane-targeting drugs aids in understanding its mechanism of action.
- Enhances existing drug efficacy**:** Semapimod sensitizes Gram-negative bacteria to normally active antibiotics for these types, offering new treatment possibilities.
- Potential impact on antibiotic resistance**:** Addressing the urgent need for novel treatments against increasingly resistant bacterial infections.
https://news.mit.edu/2024/mit-scientists-are-using-artificial-intelligence-target-sleeper-bacteria-0408
< Previous Story - Next Story >