Un equipo de científicos de la Universidad de Toronto ha aplicado con éxito herramientas de inteligencia artificial (IA) para acelerar el proceso de descubrimiento de nuevos posibles tratamientos contra el cáncer, de años a tan sólo un mes.

Toronto

The release of Open AI's ChatGPT has accelerated the development of artificial intelligence and warnings about its impact on society.

Rise of AI

A team of scientists at the University of Toronto is pioneering a faster approach to drug development by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). This innovative application of technology shortens the drug discovery process from years to just a month, presenting new possibilities for cancer treatment. Typically, drug development is time-consuming and costly, involving meticulous research, and the identification of protein structures through methods like X-ray crystallography. However, AI is revolutionizing this field by efficiently predicting protein structures and helping design effective drug molecules.

Dr. Alon Aspuduguzic and his team at the University of Toronto Acceleration Consortium have demonstrated the prowess of AI in expediting drug discovery. Last year, using AI tools, they were able to create a new compound for treating a specific type of liver cancer much quicker than traditional methods. They employed AI to identify a protein target, determine its structure using Google's DeepMind tool AlphaFold, and designed a drug that binds to it. This process was further aided by automated lab technology to refine reactions swiftly.

Although AI poses potential risks, such as misuse in developing harmful substances, the University of Toronto team emphasizes the focus on safety and the positive impact on scientific productivity. They view AI as a tool to enhance human capability, enabling scientists to conduct more parallel experiments and address pressing societal issues. The ultimate goal is to accelerate scientific discovery while ensuring the ethical and safe use of AI technology.



Los avances de la IA ayudan a diseñar más rápidamente fármacos que salvan vidas

El desarrollo de nuevos medicamentos ha sido históricamente un proceso lento, que ha requerido años de investigación de ensayo y error, millones de dólares y, a menudo, suerte. Encontrar fármacos es como encontrar agujas en pajares. Obtener la estructura de rayos X de una proteína puede llevar hasta un año. Conocer la estructura de una proteína es clave. Permite a los científicos diseñar moléculas de fármacos que se unen a esas proteínas y modifican su función. Hasta hace poco, la mayoría de las estructuras de las proteínas humanas eran desconocidas. Si no se sabe cómo es la proteína, ¿cómo puedo hacer algo? Incluso hay premios Nobel concedidos a personas que encontraron la estructura de rayos X de proteínas importantes. Y sin una estructura de la proteína, los científicos no saben qué crear. Sería como intentar hacer una pieza de puzzle sin saber siquiera qué aspecto tiene la otra pieza. Pero el Dr. Alon Aspuduguzic y su equipo del Consorcio de Aceleración de la Universidad de Toronto afirman que la IA puede acelerarlo todo. El año pasado, utilizando tres aplicaciones distintas de la IA, el laboratorio de Aspuduguzic creó un nuevo compuesto que podría ayudar a tratar un tipo de cáncer de hígado en una fracción del tiempo que se tarda en descubrir la mayoría de los fármacos. A la IA se le da bien encontrar patrones que a los humanos no nos parecen tan obvios. Usamos todos los datos para hacer menos pruebas, menos intentos computacionales para encontrar la solución. En primer lugar, utilizaron la IA para encontrar una proteína diana que pudiera afectar al cáncer. Una proteína del cáncer de hígado a la que no se había apuntado antes. Pero también queríamos que esta proteína no tuviera una estructura tridimensional conocida. Así que la estructura no era conocida. Para averiguar la estructura de la proteína, utilizaron un sistema de IA ganador del Premio Nobel llamado AlphaFold de Google DeepMind, que logró predecir la estructura de todas las proteínas humanas. AlphaFold, ¿puedes decirme cómo es esta proteína? Y AlphaFold predijo la proteína. Por último, utilizaron otra herramienta de IA para diseñar un fármaco que se uniera a la proteína predicha. Combinado con robots automatizados, pudieron afinar ese diseño más rápido que los humanos, con lo que llaman un laboratorio autodirigido. Se trata de un robot que nos permite llevar a cabo la dispensación de líquidos, polvos, etc. Combinado con ese robot, podemos realmente hacer que nuestras reacciones ocurran aquí. Así que no estás de pie sobre una pequeña llama sosteniendo un vaso de precipitados. La IA nos ayudó a ir 200 veces más rápido para encontrar la mejor molécula. Cada vez que hacíamos una molécula, la IA encontraba pistas. Es como un detective, ¿verdad? Y nos dijo, esta es la siguiente mejor molécula para hacer. En total, el laboratorio tardó sólo 30 días en encontrar un compuesto potencial para el cáncer de hígado, en lo que normalmente lleva uno o dos años. Pero, ¿existe el riesgo de que alguien pueda utilizar el poder de la IA, estos datos y las capacidades de predicción, para hacer algo peligroso, para desarrollar una superbacteria o algo así? Es muy difícil, cuando se desarrolla una tecnología fundamental, no preocuparse por los posibles aspectos negativos. Como si alguien quisiera envenenar a alguien, simplemente le daría un poco de veneno. Correcto. El veneno generado por la IA podría no ser tan útil como la gente piensa. Definitivamente, en general, especialmente en la seguridad química, nos preocupamos mucho por asegurarnos de que todo lo que hacemos es bueno. ¿Existe el riesgo de que la tecnología sustituya a los humanos en el proceso, o simplemente cambia el papel de los humanos? Así que piensa en esto como una herramienta de productividad para los científicos. Si los científicos pueden estar pensando cosas de más alto nivel, pueden estar organizando experimentos que son mucho más paralelos, realmente podemos acelerar el descubrimiento científico. Lo que queremos es que los científicos sean más proactivos para resolver los problemas que acucian a la sociedad hoy en día.

It was not clear if Hamas’ statement meant it had accepted the proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 60-day ceasefire.

Jerusalem

Hamas says it is  'positive' about latest ceasefire proposal

President Trump brought pomp and circumstance to his signing of the "big, beautiful bill" on Friday, with an Independence Day ceremony at the White House that included a B-2 bomber flyover.

Washington

Global Tariffs

Trump signs "big, beautiful bill" as tariff deadline looms

Heavy rainfall in central Texas caused the Guadalupe River to overflow and unleash a torrent of water. The bodies of at least 13 children and adults have been recovered and more than 20 girls are missing from a sleepaway camp.

Kerr County

Floods kill at least 13 in Texas, over 20 missing from summer camp

The talk comes a day after President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Ukraine, Iran and other issues in a call the Kremlin described as "frank and constructive."

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy, Trump agree on joint defense efforts in phone call

Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin, officials said.

Russia hits Kyiv with largest drone attack after Trump-Putin call

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the passage of the new spending bill, which includes changes to food assistance, student loan programs, and clean energy credits. Robert Costa joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what's in the legislation.

Trump set to sign "big, beautiful bill"

More than 80 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Thursday (July 3), according to health officials, as Israel intensified its strikes, hitting a school-turned-displacement facility. CNN’s Paula Hancocks looks at the damage and humanitarian toll.

More than 80 people killed in Gaza in one day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukraine will do 'anything' to advance EU accession talks: Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

Trump: Letters telling countries their tariff rate going out Friday

Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

Indonesia suspends search for 30 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

After marathon debate sessions in the Senate and House, President Donald Trump’s budget bill passed in the House. Republicans secured the biggest win of Trump’s presidency.

Trump’s landmark ‘big, beautiful bill’ narrowly passes U.S. House

Florida says the first group of migrant detainees have arrived at the new immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Ochopee

First group of detainees arrive at "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (July 3) that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he plans to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Trump speaks with Putin, plans call with Zelenskyy

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports on a lawsuit from lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleging he suffered “torture and mistreatment” after he was wrongfully deported and held in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison.

Tecoluca

Kilmar Abrego Garcia claims he was tortured in El Salvadoran prison

The Kremlin welcomed the development, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming it proves Western arsenals are being depleted and predicting that less aid will hasten the end of the conflict.

U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine over depleted weapons stockpile

Two contractors employed by UG Solutions spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as they were revealing their employers’ internal operations.

U.S. contractors say live ammo used at Gaza aid distribution site

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

House debates Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' ahead of final vote

CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail after split verdict

Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota has died aged 28, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. The footballer passed away in a car crash in northern Spain.

Madrid

Liverpool soccer player dies in car crash 10 days after wedding

The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran Strikes

Iran nuclear program degraded by up to two years: Pentagon

Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

China rejects Dalai Lama’s succession plan

The U.S. Congress inched towards approving President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, despite attempts by Democrats to stop it. The bill is Trump’s signature legislation which includes massive spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement while slashing social programs.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill nears approval

Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

New York

Diddy denied bail, avoids life in prison

President Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but it remains unclear if Hamas will accept the terms. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more.

Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire conditions

Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

Boise

New details revealed as Kohberger pleads guilty for 2022 Idaho murders

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a state abortion law that was adopted in 1849 in a 4-3 landmark decision. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Madison

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old state abortion ban

Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Macron visiting Putin in Russia in February 2022, but dialogue eventually stalled.

Paris

Macron held 'substantial' phone call with Putin

President Trump toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center he teamed up with Ron DeSantis to build in the Everglades.

Everglades

Protesters gather around ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as President Trump visits

Jurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal criminal trial said they have reached a verdict on four of the five counts, but they cannot reach a verdict on Count 1, which is racketeering conspiracy. The judge has instructed the jury to keep deliberating. Deliberations will resume Wednesday (July 2).

Jury reaches partial verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs case

The U.S. Senate passed the Republicans' reconciliation bill on Tuesday (July 1) after more than 24 hours of marathon voting on amendments. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.

See The Full Story

Rise of AI