James J. Collins, the Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering and Science at MIT and college co-lead of the Abdul Latif Jameel Clinic for Machine Learning in Health, is embarking on a multidisciplinary research project that applies synthetic biology and generative artificial intelligence to the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The research project is sponsored by Jameel Research, a part of the Abdul Latif Jameel International network. The initial three-year, $3 million research project in MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering and Institute of Medical Engineering and Science focuses on developing and validating programmable antibacterials against key pathogens.
AMR — driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics — has accelerated the rise of drug-resistant infections, while the event of latest antibacterial tools has slowed. The impact is felt worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where limited diagnostic infrastructure causes delays or ineffective treatment.
The project centers on developing a brand new generation of targeted antibacterials using AI to design small proteins to disable specific bacterial functions. These designer molecules can be produced and delivered by engineered microbes, providing a more precise and adaptable approach than traditional antibiotics.
“This project reflects my belief that tackling AMR requires each daring scientific ideas and a pathway to real-world impact,” Collins says. “Jameel Research is keen to deal with this crisis by supporting revolutionary, translatable research at MIT.”
Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, chair of Abdul Latif Jameel, says, “antimicrobial resistance is one of the vital urgent challenges we face today, and addressing it should require ambitious science and sustained collaboration. We’re pleased to support this latest research, constructing on our long-standing relationship with MIT and our commitment to advancing research internationally, to strengthen global health and contribute to a more resilient future.”
