Artificial Intelligence Unveils 162,000 New RNA Viruses
An international research team, led by scientists from the University of Sydney, has made a groundbreaking discovery of nearly 162,000 RNA viruses using advanced machine learning techniques. This remarkable finding, published in the journal Cell, marks the largest number of new viruses identified in a single study. The researchers utilized an AI tool called LocaProt, which operates similarly to the Nobel Prize-winning AlphaFold system, to analyze vast amounts of genetic data that had previously been untapped due to their disparate nature.
The study highlights that while RNA viruses are often linked to human diseases, they are also prevalent in extreme environments such as the atmosphere, hot springs, and hydrothermal vents. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of global ecosystems but also paves the way for identifying millions of additional viruses that remain uncharted. The implications of this research could significantly improve the mapping of life on Earth, shedding light on the vast viral ocean that exists in our environment.
The Role of AI in Viral Discovery
The Locaport algorithm was trained on an array of samples to distinguish between viruses and non-viruses. It then processed over 10,000 metagenomic samples, which are genetic material extractions from diverse organisms in specific environments, including soil, water, and human microbiomes. By employing gene sequencing techniques alongside AI, researchers can expedite the analysis of genetic material, thereby accelerating our comprehension of the myriad of viruses that impact biological and non-biological processes on Earth. Scientists estimate that there are trillions of viruses globally, influencing various ecological and biological dynamics.
