A senior scientist at Kuwait’s Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) has utilized advanced artificial intelligence to reveal new insights into the molecular mechanisms of diabetes, setting the stage for future drug development.
Dr. Anwar Mohammed, Head of the Precision Health Analysis Unit and Senior Scientist at DDI, spearheaded a research study showcasing how AI can transform our understanding of complex biological structures related to diabetes. This research was recently published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.
Using AlphaFold 3, a robust AI model created by Google DeepMind, Dr. Anwar examined the interaction between the KLF15 zinc finger domain and DNA, a crucial aspect of understanding type 2 diabetes at a molecular level.
The precision of AlphaFold 3 was validated by comparing the modeled structure with experimental X-ray crystallography data, as mentioned by DDI in a press release. Dr. Anwar also used molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculations to pinpoint critical hotspots that could aid in the design of targeted therapies.
“These applications can enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms and inform the design of targeted therapies, which are expected to advance healthcare and drug discovery,” the statement read.
Dr. Anwar’s research underscores the increasing importance of AI in structural biology, which focuses on deciphering the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules like proteins and DNA and their interactions. His findings highlight AI’s potential to speed up the development of targeted therapies, particularly vital for chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Dr. Anwar also acknowledged the institute and its founding organization for facilitating this research. He expressed appreciation for DDI and KFAS’ ongoing support for Kuwaiti scientists in research, science, and medicine. Established by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Dasman Diabetes Institute has been recognized as a regional leader in diabetes research. Its continuous backing of innovation keeps Kuwait at the forefront of global scientific advancement.
