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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Ian Sample Science editor

Safety fears as scientists make first viruses designed by AI

A technician's gloved hand holds a petri dish with bacteriophage spots, under a lit magnifying lamp
A scientist holds an agar plate containing a bacteriophage, which can be used to treat patients with persistent infections. Photograph: Samyukta Lakshmi/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Scientists have made the first viruses designed by artificial intelligence in a milestone that raises hopes for new medicines but also concerns over how to ensure the technology remains safe.

The viruses are specific kinds known as bacteriophages, which only infect bacteria and are used around the world to treat patients with persistent infections. In lab tests, a cocktail of the AI-designed viruses killed E coli bugs that were resistant to natural bacteriophages.

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