AI defeated a bacterium recognized as a threat to humanity in 15 minutes
The algorithm selected the correct peptide CIT8 from over 14,000 options
In less than 15 minutes, the quantity of *Acinetobacter baumannii* in the laboratory dropped from 50 million to an undetectable level. The bacterium causes severe infections in hospitals and is resistant to many antibiotics, including carbapenems.
CIT8 is a chain of 13 amino acids. At a concentration of 4 µg/ml, the peptide was effective against 15 out of 16 clinical isolates. A dose of 20 µg/ml allowed the bacteria to be destroyed faster than polymyxin B, which required between 30 minutes and two hours.
By targeting the cell membrane, CIT8 disrupts its electrical potential and causes ATP leakage. No toxicity was detected for human skin cells or renal epithelial cells at concentrations 32 times higher than the therapeutic dose in tests. Next, scientists need to determine the peptide's stability in biological fluids and its effects in a living organism; it is premature to discuss human treatment at this stage.
