Potential Game Changer: Using AI for Antibiotic Development
César de la Fuente, PhD, and his team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Machine Biology Group are pioneering the use of AI and machine learning to dramatically speed up antibiotic discovery. By treating biological molecules like code, DNA, proteins, and peptides, they’ve developed algorithms that can scan vast amounts of biological data to identify potential new antibiotics in hours. This approach has already led to the creation of the first computer-designed antibiotic effective in animal models. Unlike traditional drug discovery, which can take years, their process can move from digital discovery to lab testing in just 1–2 weeks. Despite this acceleration, challenges remain, especially around the need for high-quality training data and the ethical considerations of creating novel molecules. The team has built safeguards into their workflows, including halting research if a compound resembles a biotoxin. While they’re not yet in clinical trials, de la Fuente recently launched a startup to help bring these discoveries closer to the clinic, with the ultimate goal of saving lives through AI-powered antibiotic development.
Temple University’s Infectious Disease Department: A Storied History Combined With a Family-Based Culture
Temple University Hospital’s Infectious Disease (ID) Department blends a rich history with a close-knit, family-like culture. Rafik Samuel, MD, who joined Temple in the early 1990s as a resident and remained through fellowship and faculty positions, now serves as chief of the ID section. The department’s origins trace back to 1969 when Robert Swenson, MD, became Temple’s first ID specialist, growing the section from just two people into a team of 12 faculty and 8 fellows. Over time, the program has evolved to include specialized areas such as transplant ID, HIV care, infection prevention, and antibiotic stewardship. Beyond its academic strengths, the department fosters a warm, community-driven environment with traditions like end-of-rotation haiku lunches, birthday celebrations, and annual events. Samuel emphasizes that the culture of the program has always been about more than medicine—it’s about creating a second family within the hospital.
Non-Targeted Hepatitis C Screening in Emergency Departments Increases Diagnoses
The DETECT Hep C trial, led by Jason Haukoos, MD, MSc, FACEP, demonstrated that non-targeted hepatitis C screening in emergency departments (EDs) significantly outperforms targeted approaches, highlighting the ED’s vital role in reaching vulnerable populations who often lack access to primary care. With 140–150 million annual ED visits in the US, many high-risk individuals only engage with the healthcare system through emergency care, making it a critical point for intervention. The study, conducted across three EDs (Denver, Johns Hopkins, and University of Mississippi), showed that screening can be pragmatically integrated into routine clinical workflows without major resource strain. A companion study, also part of the DETECT Hep C project and led by Sarah Rowan, MD, in Denver, explored “linkage navigation” as a way to connect patients to care after diagnosis. Preliminary results from this follow-up trial, comparing navigators to standard clinician referrals, are promising and expected to be published soon. Together, the findings support using EDs as a powerful tool in public health efforts to identify and treat hepatitis C.
RFK, HHS OKs Removal of Thimerosal From Influenza Vaccines
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F Kennedy has approved the removal of thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative—from all US influenza vaccines, following a recommendation from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP voted 5-1-1 in favor of offering only single-dose, thimerosal-free flu vaccines to children, pregnant women, and adults. Although thimerosal has been used safely for decades to prevent bacterial contamination in multi-dose vials and has not been linked to health issues or autism, this decision aligns with a long-standing public health approach to minimize mercury exposure whenever possible. The FDA and other health agencies previously supported reducing mercury in vaccines as a precautionary measure. Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed they can fully replace multi-dose vials, ensuring continued supply for both the Vaccines for Children program and adult vaccination efforts.
Pandemic Brain Aging: How COVID-19 Affects Cognitive Health Beyond Infection
New research published in Nature Communications reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated brain aging in healthy adults—even among those never infected with the virus. Using MRI data from the UK Biobank, scientists found that participants scanned before and after the pandemic showed an average 5.5-month increase in brain age gap compared to controls. The effect was most significant in men and individuals from lower-income backgrounds, pointing to the role of pandemic-related stressors like isolation and financial instability. While cognitive decline was more common in those who had COVID-19, the study underscores that the neurological impact of the pandemic extends beyond infection. These findings align with concerns around long COVID, which continues to affect cognition in a significant portion of survivors, and add to the growing evidence that infections—and the societal disruptions they cause—can have long-term effects on brain health. Experts stress the importance of long-term neurological monitoring, integrated mental health care, and continued research into post-infectious cognitive outcomes.