Why AgeXtend in NEWS?
Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-Delhi) has introduced a groundbreaking tool, AgeXtend, which employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify molecules with anti ageing potential.
Key Highlights
- Development of AgeXtend
- AgeXtend is an AI-powered platform designed to significantly reduce the time required to discover molecules with geroprotective (age-defying) properties.
- It was created by IIIT-Delhi researchers and published in a recent issue of Nature Aging.
- Over 1.1 billion compounds were screened over two years, leading to the discovery of several promising molecules.
- Less than 1% of the screened molecules showed verified anti-ageing properties.
- Innovative Approach
- AgeXtend evaluates the chemical structure of molecules and predicts their gero-protective characteristics.
- Uniquely, the platform provides explanations for why it identifies certain compounds as anti-ageing, highlighting underlying mechanisms.
- This feature enables researchers to focus their efforts on the most promising candidates, directing further experimental validation.
- Validation and Applications
- The platform validated its predictions through experiments on:
- Yeast
- Worms (C. elegans)
- Human cell models
- AgeXtend successfully identified well-known anti-ageing compounds like metformin and taurine, even without prior knowledge of these substances.
- The platform validated its predictions through experiments on:
- Scope of the Study
- This is the largest study on anti-ageing to date, scanning over 1.2 billion molecules, including:
- Commercial drugs
- Chinese medicine
- Ayurvedic compounds
- FDA-approved drugs
- This is the largest study on anti-ageing to date, scanning over 1.2 billion molecules, including:
- Open-Source Availability
- To foster collaboration, the research team has made the code and data freely accessible for researchers and students.
- Companies interested in leveraging the platform will need to pay a charge.
Potential Impact of AgeXtend
- Accelerating Drug Discovery: By cutting down on research time, AgeXtend could fast-track the development of anti-ageing therapies.
- Holistic Exploration: The inclusion of compounds from diverse sources such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine broadens the scope of modern pharmacological research.
- Open Collaboration: By making the tool open-source, the team has encouraged collaborative innovation in the longevity domain.
- New Horizons in Healthcare: With its predictive and explanatory power, AgeXtend has the potential to redefine strategies for addressing age-related ailments and improving the quality of life.
Conclusion
The development of AgeXtend marks a significant leap in anti-ageing research, combining computational biology and AI to unlock unprecedented possibilities in health and longevity. As researchers and companies harness its potential, this tool could pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries in geroprotection and beyond.
