Researchers at MIT and McMaster University have developed a new antibiotic called enterololin, designed to selectively target bacteria linked to Crohn’s disease flare-ups while preserving beneficial gut microbes. Traditional broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome and worsen symptoms, searching for more precise treatments essential. Enterololin’s mechanism was rapidly identified using DiffDock, a generative AI model that predicts molecular interactions, significantly shortening a typically lengthy discovery process. This innovation highlights the potential of AI to expedite antibiotic development by providing insights into how new compounds function at the molecular level.
Enterololin shows promise through tests in mouse models, demonstrating faster recovery and a healthier microbiome compared to conventional treatments like vancomycin. The use of AI not only enhanced the identification of enterololin’s binding target but also opened avenues for exploring derivatives that may combat other resistant pathogens. While still in early stages, the research signifies a significant advancement in developing narrow-spectrum antibiotics that could mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance. This targeted approach could significantly improve the quality of life for patients with inflammatory bowel conditions and marks a key step forward in the integration of AI tools into drug discovery processes for various diseases.
Source: Original article