Innovative Work Published in Viruses by an IRCM Researcher
What if artificial intelligence could help us avoid the next pandemic? That’s the bold and innovative challenge of the Interactys-AI project, led at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) by Dr. Benoit Coulombe (Full Research Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal) and his collaborators.
The goal: to anticipate rather than react. Using cutting-edge AI tools, including AlphaFold 3 which was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to researchers at DeepMind, the team maps virus–human cell interactions at the molecular level.
A GPS for Proteins
Imagine AlphaFold as an ultra-precise GPS for proteins: it shows how proteins fold and assemble, revealing the contact points between a virus and our cells. This invisible map allows researchers to identify the “entry doors” viruses use to infect the body. Once these doors are identified, the team can repurpose existing drugs to block them, turning known treatments into potential antivirals that can be deployed quickly.
“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us how crucial it is to prepare our health systems before a crisis hits,” explains Dr. Benoit Coulombe. “By identifying actionable targets and available molecules in advance, we believe we can drastically reduce delays between the emergence of a virus and the implementation of effective treatments.”
The initial work focused on the H5N1 avian influenza virus, closely monitored by health authorities. While human-to-human transmission remains limited, mutations could change the game. The results, published in Viruses, reveal several human proteins likely to interact with H5N1.
Next Steps
The next step: applying this strategy to other viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, which continues to evolve rapidly.
These advances were made possible thanks to the expertise of Christian Poitras, IT technician at IRCM, and the support of the Institute.
