EVEscape – an AI tool that predicts virus mutations

EVEscape – an AI tool that predicts virus mutations

New York, October 14th 2023

EVEscape, an AI tool developed at Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford, has the potential to predict dangerous virus mutations.

This is a great help to scientists who aim to develop better vaccines and therapies.

The tool accurately predicted new COVID-19 variants that emerged during the pandemic, according to a new study published in Nature.

Background:

• The tool combines modeling of evolutionary sequences with data about the biology and structure of a virus.

• This allows EVEscape to predict the most likely variants that will emerge as the virus evolves.

• In the study, researchers showed how the tool would have accurately predicted common mutations and variants of concern for SARS-CoV. Successful predictions have also been made for viruses such as HIV and influenza.

• Researchers are now turning to EVEscape to predict future variants of concern in SARS-CoV-2, which could help develop drugs that can withstand the virus’s evolving resistance.