AI Predicts Virus Evolution to Build Future-Proof Vaccines

Iowa State University researcher Ratul Chowdhury is using AI to develop livestock vaccines that anticipate future viral mutations rather than just targeting current strains. His lab screens millions of protein shapes to identify stable viral targets, creating multi-epitope vaccines designed to protect against numerous adaptations simultaneously. Chowdhury's team has published research on vaccines for PRRS, a swine virus costing the pork industry over $1 billion annually, and infectious bronchitis virus in chickens. Multiple animal health companies plan to test his published vaccine designs, and a small PRRS vaccine trial is in planning stages.