TWiV 1355: Four billion years of AI training data

TWiV reviews a landmark paper reporting the first generative design of complete viral genomes using AI, producing 16 viable bacteriophages that overcame antibiotic-resistant bacteria where natural phages could not, and a study suggesting that recombinant shingles vaccination reduces the risk of cardiovascular events.
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Racaniello), Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email (eepurl.com/Gcw59)
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Links for this episode • Support science education (microbe.tv/contribute)at MicrobeTV
• Recombinant shingles vaccination reduces risk of cardiovascular events (Nat Med)
• AI design of bacteriophages (Science)
• AI-designed viral genomes (Science)
• Letters read (microbe.tv/twiv/twiv-1353-letters)on TWiV 1355
• Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks!
Picks of the Week Brianne – The Generative AI Learning Penalty: Evidence from Chinese Secondary Education Kathy – Ballista spider’s web to trap aggressive ants here and here (cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00570-1) Vincent – Microbecharmer from Sarah
Listener Pick Shirley – The Measles-Stricken Mother Who Lost Her Newborn Son Torsten – The battle over Covid’s origins has come for Bob Garry: A Top Virus Scientist Stared Down Covid Lab-Leak Proponents. Now His Life’s Work Is at Stake
Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees
Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv
Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.