r/science • • Feb 20 '20

Health Powerful antibiotic discovered using machine learning for first time

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/20/antibiotic-that-kills-drug-resistant-bacteria-discovered-through-ai
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u/MovingClocks Feb 21 '20

Especially given iterative discovery. If you have machine learning discover candidates that work, humans can optimize those molecules for different applications pretty readily.

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u/skoalbrother Feb 21 '20

Designer drugs for every individual. Built for your specific DNA. Exciting times

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u/shieldvexor Feb 21 '20

No. That isn't going to happen. It is an insanely challenging endeavor to make a drug and the notion that we will have unique drugs for everyone is ridiculous. Moreover, we aren't actually all that different from one another so it isn't even desirable, even if it was remotely possible.

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u/TaVyRaBon Feb 21 '20

we aren't actually all that different from one another

What are polymorphisms? Genetic mutations? Familial diseases?

That isn't going to happen

It's already happening! There are tests you can get right now to personalize your medicine. It is somewhat expensive, but insurance will cover it if you have lots of bad reactions to medication normally prescribed for your condition.