The MoU was signed by Jiarun Qu , BioMap Vice President of Strategic Development ; and Professor Kun Zhang , MBZUAI Deputy Department Chair of Machine Learning and Director of the Centre for Integrative Artificial Intelligence ( CIAI ).

It outlines how the two parties will collaborate on the application of AI protein generation capabilities to largescale life science models to help promote sustainable development and improve human health in the Middle East .

“ We ' re excited to partner with BioMap on this groundbreaking project ,” Zhang said . “ We will collaborate to fasttrack both energy sustainability solutions and the creation of new drugs that could help treat ageing-associated diseases . The university is establishing itself in the AI and healthcare space with faculty and students dedicated to research that is making drug design faster , more affordable and more sustainable .”

The joint laboratory will carry out research in two distinct directions : the de novo design of oil degradation enzymes , and the identification of potential drug targets for the treatment of ageing-associated and rare diseases .

In recent years , scientists have explored the use of enzymes to efficiently degrade contaminants caused by oil . For example , alkanes as the major components of crude oils , are commonly found in oil-contaminated environments .

Although there are various kinds of alkane oxygenase extracted from microbes , those enzymes usually require a higher temperature to function with ideal catalytic activity , which is not the case in marine oil spills , oil and gas storage and transportation .

The joint laboratory will explore the de novo design of new proteins that can improve alkane oxygenase catalytic function under lower temperatures and without the help of coenzymes . Such proteins could enhance the performance and broaden the applications of oil degradation enzymes and oil recovery enzymes by optimising their catalytic efficiency under different conditions . �

The two parties will focus on creating breakthroughs in AIgenerated proteins ( AIGP ) in line with the needs of the Middle East ' s most pressing needs in medical health , drug design , energy and environmental protection .

Harnessing joint capabilities , the two parties aim to explore new technologies to advance protein generation , protein structure prediction , cell function prediction and other foundational life science challenges .

“ We are thrilled to be partnering with a world-class AI university like MBZUAI and working alongside top local talents ,” Jiarun Qu said .

“ By bringing together our experimental expertise with MBZUAI ' s cutting-edge AI technology and life science research , we can supercharge the application of AI largescale models in the life science industry . And that means we can help improve human health and pave the way for a sustainable future .”

52 www . intelligenthealth . tech