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The search for immortality has long captivated humanity, with ancient myths and current scientific research exploring various avenues to achieve eternal life. In a groundbreaking study published by researchers from Integrated Biosciences, Harvard University, and MIT, artificial intelligence (AI) was utilized in the quest for immortality.
The study, titled “Discovering small-molecule senolytics with deep neural networks,” aimed to reduce cell aging and combat diseases such as fibrosis, tumors, inflammation, and osteoarthritis by using AI to identify potential remedies. Led by Felix Wong, a renowned biophysicist and mathematician, the team employed deep learning models to analyze the effects of over 800,000 chemical solutions on senescent cells, commonly known as “zombie cells.” These cells contribute to the aging process.
Wong compared the search for a new drug to finding a needle in a haystack, with the haystack representing the vast number of chemical compounds that exist or could potentially be developed. Utilizing AI, the team was able to efficiently navigate this haystack and predict which drug candidates were most likely to be effective. The methodology employed in this study was lauded by biophysicist Andrew Rutenberg, who commended the use of deep machine learning techniques.
To educate the AI in this study, the scientists initially tested approximately 2,400 compounds in test tubes to evaluate their effectiveness in killing senescent cells. The collected data was then fed into the AI to train it. Once trained, the AI was used to identify the most promising anti-aging medications from a pool of over 800,000 options.
The team successfully narrowed down the selection to three potential drugs through further laboratory experiments. In one experiment, an 80-year-old mouse was used to test the effects of one of the drugs. The researchers observed a decline in aging biomarkers, indicating that the drug effectively reduced cell aging in living animals.
The three potential drugs currently undergoing testing are referred to as BRD-K20733377, BRD-K56819078, and BRD-K44839765. While their names may sound complex, Wong believes that one day they could enable individuals to live longer and healthier lives.
Despite the promising results, Wong acknowledges the need for further testing and evaluation before the drugs can be administered to humans. Evaluating the potential side effects of medications was a key consideration during the AI screening process. Although computers have been utilized in biological experiments for decades, AI has now advanced to the point where experiments of this scale can be conducted.
Aline Martins, a biologist researching artificial intelligence for disease detection and prevention, commended Wong’s work. She highlighted the importance of exploring thousands of existing substances to combat aging, a task that would be impossible without the use of AI.
Zombie cells, although contributing to the aging process, also serve as a natural anti-cancer mechanism by preventing damaged cells from dividing uncontrollably. The goal of the research is to find a balanced senolytic that can halt aging processes without causing harmful side effects.
Wong and his team are following the rules of science and aspire to eventually test these compounds on humans. Their aim is to increase life expectancy by eliminating harmful aging cells.
In conclusion, through the integration of AI and scientific research, humanity is inching closer to the possibility of extending life expectancy and potentially achieving immortality. While there is still much work to be done in terms of testing and refining potential drugs, the use of AI in the search for immortality opens up new realms of possibility and offers hope for a longer and healthier future.
