'World-first' vaccine designed by Artificial Intelligence

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'World-first' vaccine designed by Artificial Intelligence31 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJames GallagherHealth and science correspondentGetty ImagesArtificial intelligence has been used to develop a "fundamentally new" type of vaccine that could protect against large swathes of viruses and prevent pandemics, say researchers. The team at the University of Cambridge say it is the first time a vaccine's key component has been designed entirely by AI and then trialled in people. The vaccine was engineered to work on all coronaviruses which would include all Covid variants and viruses that infect animals, but could start the next pandemic.

The work is still in the early stages, but the team is already developing separate vaccines that could tackle flu and Ebola. Vaccines teach our bodies how to spot an infection to increase our chances of fighting it off. But some viruses are adept at changing their appearance – or mutating – so vaccines can quickly go out of date.

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It's why Covid and winter flu vaccines need to be regularly updated. "We're always behind," said Prof Jonathan Heeney, from the University of Cambridge, adding "what we're trying to do is get ahead of the curve" and so far ahead they could protect against new outbreaks or pandemics. Getty ImagesVaccines played a crucial role in the pandemic, but needed to be designed from scratch and then updated as the virus mutatedHow does it work?

Normally vaccines are designed using a current strain of a virus. The Cambridge researchers took known genetic codes – the instruction manuals of life – from a range of coronaviruses that had been recorded by surveillance programmes hunting for potential viral threats. These genetic codes were analysed by an artificial intelligence.

It then designed a "super-antigen" that could train the immune system in such a way it gave protection against the whole family of viruses – even if they mutated or a new infection jumped from animals to people. Antigens are the critical components of vaccines as this is what the immune system learns to attack. Heeney said this was the first time an antigen designed by AI had been trialled in people.

What Experts Say

He said the technology was "surprising all of us" and it was "amazing what we can do with it for the good of humanity". Heeney told News: "This is about making vaccines that protect us, not just from today's viruses, but protect us from what can cause the next outbreak or disease. "This is a fundamental shift in how we prepare for pandemics.

"Getty ImagesBats are one source of coronavirusesThe trials, in 39 people, were designed to assess if such vaccines were safe. A second study – involving around 200 people – will give a greater understanding of how well it is training the immune system. The findings detailed in the Journal of Infection said the impact on the immune system was "modest", but they are still generating excitement.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.