“Scientists Use AI to Create a Virus Never Seen Before”
January 26th, 2026Via: Daily Mail:
Lab–grown life has taken a major leap forward as scientists use AI to create a new virus that has never been seen before.
The virus, dubbed Evo–?2147, was created by scientists from scratch using new technologies that could revolutionise the course of evolution.
With just 11 genes, compared to the 200,000 in the human genome, this virus is among the simplest forms of life.
However, scientists believe that the same tools could one day create entire living organisms or resurrect long–extinct species.
This artificial virus was specifically created to kill infectious and potentially deadly E. Coli bacteria.
Based on a wild virus known to infect bacteria, scientists used an AI tool called Evo2 to create 285 entirely new viruses from scratch.
While only 16 were able to attack the E. Coli, the most successful were 25 per cent quicker at killing bacteria than the wild variants.
However, previous research has raised concerns that AI–designed pathogens could themselves become a deadly threat to humanity.
Seems inevitable there’s going to be extremely rapid progress in that direction.
Good to see the article mentions phage therapy at least once–It was quite advanced a hundred years ago, fell out of favor with the development of antibiotics, but has really had a resurgence in the last 20 years:
Me: is Georgia still the premiere place for phage treatment and research?
Searching the web
39 results
Grok: “Yes, Georgia (specifically Tbilisi) remains one of the premiere — and arguably still the most established and accessible — locations in the world for phage therapy treatment and long-standing research, particularly through the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages, Microbiology and Virology and its associated Eliava Phage Therapy Center (EPTC).Here’s why it holds that status as of 2026:Historical and ongoing leadership — The Eliava Institute has been a global hub for phage research and application since the 1920s–1930s, with over 100 years of continuous expertise. It maintains one of the world’s largest phage libraries (thousands of strains) and routinely provides personalized phage preparations for patients, including international ones with antibiotic-resistant infections.
Dedicated clinical treatment — The EPTC is explicitly one of the few centers worldwide fully dedicated to phage therapy as a core service. It treats patients on-site in Tbilisi for various infections (e.g., urological, respiratory, surgical), often with high reported success rates in eradicating pathogens without antibiotics. It’s approved and broadly used in Georgia, attracting patients from over 120 countries.
Reputation as a “global leader” — Current sources from the center itself, medical tourism sites, and reviews describe it as a premier facility, the “world’s first and most successful clinic of its kind,” and Tbilisi’s leading phage therapy site. It continues active research, conferences, and training (e.g., courses in 2026).
That said, the field has evolved significantly since the early 2010s “renaissance” of phage therapy in the West due to rising antibiotic resistance. Georgia is no longer the only major option, and other places have advanced rapidly in research, clinical trials, and compassionate-use programs:Poland — The Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute in Wroc?aw has long been a key European center with extensive clinical experience in personalized phage therapy.
Belgium — Has a structured “magistral” (compounded, tailored) phage framework and has treated many patients compassionately or in trials.
United States — Rapid growth in research and compassionate-use cases. Leading centers include:Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics (IPATH) at UC San Diego.
Programs at Yale, Mayo Clinic, and others.
Biotech companies (e.g., Adaptive Phage Therapeutics, Armata Pharmaceuticals, BiomX) are running clinical trials, with some phase 2/3 studies underway.
No full FDA approval yet for routine use, but increasing access via expanded access/compassionate pathways.
Other emerging spots — Israel (Israeli Phage Therapy Center), Australia (Phage Australia), France, and Canada are building dedicated programs or trials.
In summary: Georgia (via Eliava) is still widely regarded as the premiere destination for hands-on, routine phage treatment — especially for personalized, non-trial-based care — due to its century-long track record, regulatory ease, and patient volume. However, for cutting-edge research, clinical trials, or integration with modern biotech/regulatory frameworks, places like the US, Belgium, Poland, and others are now strong competitors or complements. If you’re considering treatment, factors like your specific infection, travel feasibility, and regulatory status matter — many people still travel to Georgia for it. Let me know if you’d like details on accessing it or comparisons for a particular condition!”