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AI and Genomics Reveal Thousands of New Viruses
Why in the news?
Researchers using AI and genomics have identified over 160,000 new RNA viruses, aiding in understanding virus diversity and enhancing early detection for pandemic preparedness.
Role of AI and Genomics in Virus Discovery:
- Researchers are combining AI, genomics, and gene sequencing to identify thousands of new viruses.
- Traditional algorithms miss evolved proteins, but deep-learning models help detect changes in viral proteins more efficiently.
- AI-powered tools like Serratus and machine-learning models, such as transformers, enable scientists to identify viruses even from highly divergent environmental niches.
Metagenomics and Virus Exploration
- Metagenomics analyses genetic material from environmental samples without needing to culture organisms, greatly enhancing virus detection.
- Advances in metagenomics and RNA virus studies have led to identifying new viral species in unique environments such as oceans, hot springs, and salt lakes.
- Tools like Serratus have uncovered over 100,000 new viruses from vast data, providing insights into viral diversity and evolution.
About Genomics:
- Genomics Definition: Study of the entire genome, including all genes, regulatory elements, and DNA sequences.
- History:
- Mendelian Genetics: Gregor Mendel’s inheritance principles.
- DNA Discovery: Watson and Crick, 1953, revealed DNA structure.
- Human Genome Project (HGP): Sequenced the human genome (1990-2003).
- Key Components:
- Genome Sequencing: WGS, NGS, Single-Cell Sequencing.
- Structural Genomics: Structural variations, comparative genomics.
- Functional Genomics: Gene expression, epigenomics, regulatory mechanisms.
- Applications: Medical, agricultural, microbial genomics.
- ELSI: Privacy, genetic discrimination, informed consent.
