Does Chinese tech giant’s AI algorithm hold the key to better mRNA vaccines?

Baidu-led researchers say their method – using techniques from language processing – takes just minutes to find optimal sequence for more effective and stable Covid-19 jabs

It can also be used to develop cancer medicine, monoclonal antibodies and treatments for other diseases, according to Nature paper

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The Baidu team borrowed techniques from natural language processing to develop their algorithm for improving Covid-19 vaccines. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 8:00pm, 4 May 2023

Researchers with Chinese tech giant Baidu say they have developed a new artificial intelligence algorithm that can identify the optimal mRNA sequence for a stable and effective Covid-19 vaccine in just minutes.

The team led by Baidu Research, the AI-focused arm of the tech company, said the algorithm, named LinearDesign, could also be used to develop mRNA vaccines for other diseases and treatments including cancer medicine and monoclonal antibodies.

Their Covid-19 vaccine achieved up to 128 times the antibody response in mice compared to mRNA vaccines designed using conventional methods, and it could potentially remain stable at higher temperatures, eliminating the need for ultra-cold storage, according to an article published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on Tuesday.

Vaccines developed with the algorithm may offer better protection at the same dose – or similar protection at a smaller dose with fewer side effects – compared to existing methods, the scientists said.

The researchers also applied the algorithm to create an mRNA vaccine for the varicella zoster virus to reduce the risk of shingles. They reported a six-fold increase in stability and an eight-fold increase in antibody response compared to vaccines developed with existing methods.

mRNA vaccines contain sequences that teach human cells to generate specialised proteins that trigger an immune response against a disease.