DeepMind's AlphaFold, program was used to develop a new molecular syringe, which is expected to help in curing cancers and tumors.
A syringe is pictured on an illustration representation of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus in Paris on May 18, 2020. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
A team of researchers published their study titled "'Astonishing' molecular syringe ferries proteins into human cells" on Wednesday, Mar. 29, in the Nature journal.
Feng Jiang, a microbiologist at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of Pathogen Biology in Beijing, even claimed that their innovation is a huge breakthrough.
DeepMind's AlphaFold AI Develops Molecular Syringe
According to Live Science's latest report, the molecular syringe is very different from traditional injections.
A medical assistant shows a syringe with the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for residents and staff at the nursing home for seniors 'Schmallenbach Haus' in Froendenberg, western Germany, on January 22, 2021. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP)
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This is because it is a modified protein found in the bacteria Photorhabdus asymbiotica, which commonly infects insects.
The P. asymbiotica has tiny, spring-loaded syringes that can inject toxic proteins. The researchers decided to modify these molecular syringes by loading proteins of their choosing.
Using DeepMind's AI program, they predicted the structure of the syringe's landing gear. After that, they altered this structure so that it will only make contact with the surface proteins only on human cells.
As of writing, the team only tested their molecular syringes in lab dishes and mice. However, experts believe that medical innovation would soon have health applications.
Why AlphaFold's New Syringe is Big Deal
The new molecular syringes developed by AlphaFold are expected to be used to inject cancer-killing drugs, as well as gene therapies directly into human cells.
If the tiny syringes are successfully tested on humans, they could fight disease-causing bacteria in the body.
Joseph Kreitz, the study's first author, and Feng Zhang, the study's senior author, claimed that the syringes could enable more cargo to be delivered per target cell.
However, they said that their innovation still needs more tests.
"However, we note that this system is still in its infancy; further efforts will be required to characterize the behavior of this system in vivo before it can be applied in clinical or commercial settings," they explained.
AlphaFold is just among the AIs developed to make human tasks easier.
More artificial intelligence models are expected to be released in the future. These AIs are expected to benefit various industries; health, tech, business, etc.
Here are other stories we recently wrote about AIs:
Previously, an Australian startup offering AI-powered reforestation drones was able to close a $200 million deal.
We also reported about the new AI manga translator, which could prevent pirated translations.
For more news updates about AIs and other similar techs, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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