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How Artificial Intelligence Can Help in the Pursuit of Immortality
The search for the elixir of life has always been a fundamental part of humanity’s ambitions. From ancient Greek mythology, where Zeus achieved immortality by beheading his father Chronos, to modern physics, which discusses the manipulation of time, humans have always sought ways to prolong life and achieve immortality. In the quest for eternal life, a team of scientists from California-based Integrated Biosciences collaborated with researchers from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.
The published study, titled “Discovering small-molecule senolytics with deep neural networks”, details the team’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) to search for potential remedies by reducing the aging of cells. The study aims to combat various illnesses such as fibrosis, tumors, inflammation, and osteoarthritis. The researchers trained deep learning models with a sample of small molecules to identify their senolytic activity, ultimately using AI to discover structurally diverse compounds that could potentially combat aging.
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Lead author Felix Wong, an American physical chemist and mathematician, explained the significance of using AI in drug discovery. He likened the process to searching for a needle in a haystack, with the haystack being the vast pool of potential chemical compounds that have already been created or could be developed. Wong and his team used AI to efficiently search this haystack, predicting which drug candidates are most likely to be effective. The methodology employed in the study was highlighted as a significant contribution by biophysicist Andrew Rutenberg, a professor at the University of Dalhousie in Canada.
The experiment involved training the AI with data collected from evaluating around 2.4 thousand compounds in test tubes to determine their ability to eliminate senescent cells, also known as “zombie cells.” Once the AI was trained, it was able to evaluate over 800,000 chemical solution options simultaneously to identify the most effective anti-aging medications. Out of 216 compounds selected, 25 exhibited high senolytic activity, indicating their efficiency in killing senescent cells.
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Further laboratory experiments helped the researchers narrow down their selection to three potential drugs. To test their effectiveness, one of these drugs was administered to an 80-year-old mouse. The scientists observed a decline in aging biomarkers, specifically the presence of senescent cells in the mouse’s kidneys. This result led Wong to conclude that the compound efficiently reduced aging in living animals. The three potential drugs currently in the testing phase are named BRD-K20733377, BRD-K56819078, and BRD-K44839765.
While the study shows promising results, the researchers also emphasize the importance of evaluating potential side effects of the medications. The advancements in AI have made it possible to conduct experiments on this scale, allowing scientists to explore thousands of existing substances described in scientific literature that could be repurposed to combat aging.
Aline Martins, a Brazilian biologist working as a researcher at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, United States, commends the use of AI in searching for more efficient biological components to detect and prevent diseases. She mentions that such experiments would be impossible to conduct on humans or in a laboratory without using a digital environment.
The presence of senescent cells in our bodies contributes to the aging process and can lead to various illnesses, including osteoarthritis, inflammation, and cancer. The ultimate goal is to find a balanced senolytic that can halt aging processes without causing harmful and toxic effects. Wong believes that through the continued use of AI and adherence to scientific principles, it may be possible to test these compounds on humans. The aim is to increase life expectancy by removing harmful subsets of aging cells.
In conclusion, the integration of artificial intelligence into the field of anti-aging research brings new hope in the quest for immortality. The groundbreaking study by Integrated Biosciences, Harvard University, and MIT demonstrates the potential of AI in drug discovery and the identification of compounds that can combat aging and associated diseases. With further research and experimentation, humanity may come one step closer to achieving the dream of eternal life.
