Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

AI identifies effective antibiotic against drug-resistant infections

Using machine learning, the scientists examined a vast catalog of 7,000 potential drug compounds to identify one that could inhibit the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii

AI identifies effective antibiotic against drug-resistant infections

Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and McMaster University have utilised machine learning, a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to discover a new antibiotic that shows promise in fighting drug-resistant infections caused by a bacteria called Acinetobacter baumannii.

This bacterium is commonly found in hospitals and can lead to severe infections like pneumonia and meningitis, making it a significant concern for healthcare settings and wounded soldiers.


Using AI, the scientists examined a vast catalog of 7,000 potential drug compounds to identify one that could inhibit the growth of A. baumannii.

“Acinetobacter can survive on hospital doorknobs and equipment for long periods of time, and it can take up antibiotic resistance genes from its environment. It’s really common now to find A. baumannii isolates that are resistant to nearly every antibiotic,” Jonathan Stokes, a former MIT postdoc, said in a statement.

This discovery holds importance because Acinetobacter has developed resistance to numerous antibiotics, making it challenging to treat.

The study, published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, highlights how machine learning techniques allow for rapid exploration of chemical space, increasing the chances of finding new molecules with antibacterial properties.

This finding further supports the valuable role of AI in expediting the identification of novel antibiotics.

The AI system was initially trained to identify chemical structures capable of inhibiting the growth of E. coli.

After screening over 100 million compounds, the researchers discovered a molecule named halicin, which demonstrated effectiveness against E. coli and various other bacterial species.

Focusing on Acinetobacter as a priority, the team conducted experiments where they exposed A. baumannii to around 7,500 different chemical compounds in a lab setting. They fed the structural information of each molecule to the AI system to assess their potential.

Eventually, they identified a drug called abaucin, which effectively treated wound infections caused by A. baumannii and exhibited activity against several drug-resistant infections.

Further investigation revealed that the drug kills cells by disrupting a process called lipoprotein trafficking, which is responsible for protein transportation within cells.

The researchers believe that the unique lipoprotein trafficking mechanism of A. baumannii makes abaucin specifically effective against this bacterium, giving it a narrow spectrum of activity.

While the experimental data acquisition is ongoing, the findings so far offer promising prospects for addressing multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, especially those caused by Acinetobacter.

More For You

Mounjaro price rise

Eli Lilly has agreed a discounted supply deal for its weight-loss drug Mounjaro

iStock

Mounjaro’s highest dose to rise from £122 to £247.50, not £330

Highlights:

  • Eli Lilly had announced a steep price rise of up to 170% for Mounjaro.
  • A new discount deal with UK suppliers will limit the increase for patients.
  • Pharmacies will still apply a mark-up, but consumer costs are expected to rise less than initially feared.
  • NHS pricing remains unaffected due to separate arrangements.

Eli Lilly has agreed a discounted supply deal for its weight-loss drug Mounjaro, easing fears of a sharp rise in costs for UK patients. The new arrangement means that, from September, pharmacies and private services will face smaller wholesale increases than first expected, limiting the impact on consumers.

Why the price rise was announced

Earlier this month, Eli Lilly said it would raise Mounjaro’s list price by as much as 170%, which could have pushed the highest monthly dose from £122 to £330. The company argued that UK pricing needed to align more closely with higher costs in Europe and the United States.

Keep ReadingShow less
chicken-pox-istock

The Department of Health said the rollout would reduce missed days at nursery and school, cut time parents take off work, and save the NHS about £15 million a year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

England to introduce free chickenpox vaccine for children from 2026

CHILDREN in England will be offered a free chickenpox vaccine for the first time from January 2026, the government has announced.

GP practices will give eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Around half a million children each year are expected to be protected.

Keep ReadingShow less
Naga Munchetty urges women to prioritise their health

Naga Munchetty

Naga Munchetty urges women to prioritise their health

WHEN broadcaster and journalist Naga Munchetty began speaking openly about her experiences with adenomyosis and debilitating menstrual pain, the response was overwhelming.

Emails and messages poured in from women who had endured years of dismissal, silence and shame when it came to their health. That outpouring became the driving force behind her new book, It’s Probably Nothing, which calls for women to be heard and to advocate for themselves in a medical system that has too often ignored them.

Keep ReadingShow less
London temple project for Shree Banke Bihari launched

London temple project for Shree Banke Bihari launched

Mahesh Liloriya

The Shree Kunj Bihari Vrindavan (UK) Temple has officially launched its project to establish a grand home for Shree Banke Bihari in London.

The inaugural event, held in Harrow from 4 pm, featured devotional chants, the Deep Pragtya ceremony, and a presentation outlining the temple’s vision. Speaking at the gathering, Shalini Bhargava described the planned temple as “a spiritual home promoting bhakti, unity and seva for generations to come.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Dickie and Watt

Dickie and Watt launched BrewDog at the age of 24

Getty Images

BrewDog co-founder Martin Dickie leaves after 17 years as James Watt steps back

Highlights:

  • Martin Dickie has announced his departure from BrewDog and the alcohol industry.
  • He co-founded the Ellon-based brewer with James Watt in 2007.
  • Dickie cited family time and personal reasons for his exit.
  • His departure follows recent bar closures as part of a company restructuring.
  • BrewDog confirmed no further leadership changes will follow.

BrewDog co-founder Martin Dickie has announced he is leaving the Scottish brewer and the wider alcohol industry for “personal reasons.” Dickie, who founded the Ellon-based business with James Watt in 2007, said he wanted to spend more time with his family after more than two decades in brewing and distilling.

Early beginnings

Dickie and Watt launched BrewDog at the age of 24, starting from a garage in Fraserburgh and selling hand-filled bottles from a van at local markets. The company grew rapidly to become one of the UK’s best-known craft brewers.

Keep ReadingShow less