AI Speeds Discovery of New Antibiotic Targeting Harmful Gut Bacteria
Source: news.mit.edu
A new antibiotic offers hope for inflammatory bowel disease patients. Current broad-spectrum treatments can harm beneficial gut microbes. This new compound, enterololin, precisely targets harmful bacteria without widespread damage.
Targeting Problem Bacteria
Enterololin suppresses bacteria linked to Crohn's disease flare-ups. It leaves the rest of the microbiome largely intact. This precision is key to avoiding side effects associated with traditional antibiotics.
AI Accelerates Drug Discovery
Researchers used AI to map how enterololin works. The AI model, DiffDock, sped up the process from years to months. This innovation helps overcome a major hurdle in antibiotic development.
Precision Antibiotic Action
Enterololin targets Escherichia coli, a bacterium that can worsen gut inflammation. Studies in mice showed faster recovery compared to vancomycin. The drug maintained a healthier microbiome in the test subjects.
AI Pinpoints Drug's Mechanism
DiffDock predicted that enterololin binds to LolCDE, a protein complex crucial for bacterial lipoprotein transport. Lab experiments confirmed the AI's prediction. This validates AI's role in explaining drug mechanisms.
Faster, Cheaper Drug Development
Traditional mechanism-of-action studies can take years and cost millions. The AI-driven approach cut the timeline to six months at a fraction of the cost. This efficiency could revolutionize drug discovery.
Future Clinical Trials
Stoked Bio, a spinout company, has licensed enterololin. They are optimizing it for potential human use. Clinical trials could begin in the next few years, offering new hope for patients.
A New Era of Antibiotics
AI tools like DiffDock could make narrow-spectrum antibiotics more practical. This is due to the ability to quickly enable targeted antimicrobials. This approach could combat antimicrobial resistance more effectively.