Microbial Technologies Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare Applications

Abstract

The combination of artificial intelligence (AI) with microbial technology marks the start of a major transformation, improving applications throughout biotechnology, especially in healthcare. With the capability of AI to process vast amounts of biological big data, advanced microbial technology allows for a comprehensive understanding of complex biological systems, advancing disease diagnosis, treatment and the development of microbial therapeutics. This mini review explores the impact of AI-integrated microbial technologies in healthcare, highlighting advancements in microbial biomarker-based diagnosis, the development of microbial therapeutics and the microbial production of therapeutic compounds. This exploration promises significant improvements in the design and implementation of health-related solutions, steering a new era in biotechnological applications.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; drug; healthcare; microbial technology.

FIGURE 1

AI‐assisted microbial biomarker for health monitoring and diagnosis. (A) AI for the prediction of immune‐evading variants. (B) The discovery of microbiome‐based biomarkers at the bacterial species level. (C) The interpretation of the AI reasoning process leads to the discovery of personalised biomarkers with the advancements in AI.

FIGURE 2

Application of AI‐assisted microbial technology in human health. (A) Microbiome‐based therapy and phage‐based therapy leverage AI to enhance understanding of microbial interactions, facilitating personalised treatments for maintaining a healthy microbiome and targeting bacterial infections. (B) AI accelerates the discovery of small‐molecule antimicrobial drugs and peptides with low resistance potential, while also contributing to the design of potent molecules and peptides, revolutionising microbial drug discovery and design. (C) AI‐driven biosynthesis prediction and enzyme discovery in metabolic engineering enable sustainable production of therapeutic chemicals, offering diverse microbial‐produced therapeutic options for societal health and sustainability.