Researchers at IIIT-Delhi Create AI Platform to Enhance Healthy Ageing
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New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) A group of researchers from the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi) has introduced an AI-driven platform aimed at revolutionizing the quest for molecules that promote healthy ageing.
Featured in the journal Nature Aging, this research marks a significant advancement in understanding and tackling the biological mechanisms associated with ageing.
The AI platform, named AgeXtend, serves as a multimodal geroprotector prediction tool that utilizes bioactivity data from known geroprotectors to discover new molecules with the potential to slow down the ageing process.
This platform incorporates sophisticated AI modules adept at predicting geroprotective potential, assessing toxicity, and identifying target proteins along with their mechanisms of action. This thorough approach guarantees both accuracy and safety throughout the discovery phase.
“AgeXtend connects the realms of artificial intelligence and biology, allowing us to not only forecast potential anti-ageing molecules but also comprehend their mechanisms,” stated Dr. Gaurav Ahuja, a senior researcher and co-author of the study.
The research illustrated AgeXtend's impressive capability to identify the longevity-boosting effects of well-recognized compounds like metformin and taurine, even when these substances were not included in the training dataset.
Furthermore, AgeXtend screened around 1.1 billion compounds, revealing a variety of promising candidates that were validated through comprehensive experiments on yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans, and human cell models.
“This platform holds tremendous potential to unveil new avenues for therapeutic strategies in ageing and age-related ailments,” Ahuja remarked.
The study also investigated natural metabolites from the human microbiome and their influence on regulating cellular senescence. This highlights AgeXtend’s adaptability and its ability to reveal previously unidentified mechanisms that drive ageing.
“AgeXtend is not merely a predictive platform; it acts as a discovery engine. This research paves the way for exploring the biological intricacies of ageing and finding innovative methods to foster health and longevity. It’s a privilege to be part of such groundbreaking research,” commented Sakshi Arora, the lead author of the study.
