Viruses fight diseases, thanks to artificial intelligence

“Radical Numerics, a biotechnology startup, says it has used AI-designed viruses to treat a human patient for the first time. The company reportedly used artificial intelligence to modify bacteria-eating viruses to attack the patient’s E. coli infection, which had resisted antibiotics and existing bacteria-eating viruses. According to the company, a cocktail containing the modified viruses killed samples of the patient’s bacteria in laboratory tests and was then administered under FDA authorization, though it’s not yet known whether the treatment succeeded,” says Human Progress.

The New York Times reports:

“For the first time, scientists say they have used viruses designed by artificial intelligence to treat a human patient.

Researchers announced on Tuesday that they had administered the virus, known as a phage, to a patient suffering from a deadly bacterial infection. Phages attack bacteria, and the hope is that this one will kill the microbes causing the infection.

Radical Numerics, the start-up that created the viruses, posted a technical report about them on its website. But the company declined to provide information about the patient or the doctors running the trial, citing confidentiality requirements..

The report has not been peer reviewed or published in a scientific journal. Company officials said the trial had been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.”

A virus is being used to cure deafness in new gene therapy. Researchers also discovered that a plant virus could be used to save crops from root-eating pests.

Trillions of viruses live inside you. Artificial intelligence is being used to identify them.

Viruses can be useful. Scientists have engineered a virus to steal proteins from the HIV virus, potentially eliminating AIDS.

Genetically-engineered skin bacteria keep some mosquitoes away. Scientists have genetically engineered a fly species to eat more waste. A genetically-modified chicken lays eggs that people allergic to eggs can eat.

Genetic engineering recently produced bacon and pork that people who are allergic to red meat can eat.

A genetically-engineered apple doesn’t turn brown when you slice it, the way most apples do.