LONDON: British researchers at the University of Cambridge have created a new vaccine that was designed with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI). The breakthrough can potentially save humanity from future epidemics, like the current pandemic, and even from coronaviruses similar to the COVID-19 virus.
According to the scientists, the artificial intelligence managed to create an antigen, which is an important part of any vaccine, and then underwent successful initial testing on humans.
Scientists note that experimental vaccine can recognize and neutralize all species of coronaviruses, including those that do not yet exist and can evolve in the future.
Classical vaccines work by stimulating the immune system against certain pathogens. However, because of mutations, viruses evolve rapidly, which means that vaccines need to be regularly upgraded, especially when dealing with something as dangerous as the COVID-19 or influenza viruses.
According to Prof. Jonathan Heeney from Cambridge University, conventional technology makes researchers chase the viruses after mutations, whereas with his technology he will be able to get one step ahead of them and prevent the spread of infections.
The vaccine was developed using genetic data from multiple coronavirus strains collected through global surveillance systems. This data was processed by an AI system, which designed a “super antigen” capable of training the immune system to recognize a broad range of coronaviruses.
Researchers described the development as a major breakthrough in the use of AI for public health, with early-stage trials conducted on 39 volunteers to assess safety.
Based on studies reported in the Journal of Infection, so far, the vaccine has exhibited only a weak response from the immune system, but experts have termed this a very encouraging sign.
The second phase study will see about 200 people participate in testing the effectiveness of the vaccine in stimulating the body’s immune system response.
Professor Saul Faust, of the University of Southampton, who was involved in the trials, has called the results “very encouraging.”
