Artificial Intelligence Driven Natural Product Based Drug Discovery
The webinar on Artificial Intelligence Driven Natural Product-Based Drug Discovery focused on the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern pharmaceutical research. AI, which enables machines to simulate human intelligence, is increasingly being applied in drug discovery to improve efficiency and accuracy. The session began with an overview of natural products, which are chemical compounds derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms. These compounds have long been a valuable source of medicines; however, their discovery through traditional methods is often time-consuming, costly, and complex.
The resource person explained how AI technologies, particularly Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), are transforming the drug discovery process. Machine learning techniques such as supervised and unsupervised learning help in analysing large datasets, predicting bioactivity, and classifying compounds. Deep learning models like Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) further enhance the ability to analyse images, biological sequences, and generate novel chemical structures. These technologies significantly reduce the time required for screening and identifying potential drug candidates.
The webinar also highlighted various applications of AI in natural product research, including data mining, virtual screening, structure elucidation, and biosynthetic pathway analysis. AI tools enable researchers to process vast amounts of scientific data, uncover hidden patterns, and make accurate predictions regarding drug properties such as efficacy and toxicity. Despite its advantages, the session also addressed challenges like data quality, computational requirements, and regulatory issues. Overall, the webinar emphasized that AI has the potential to revolutionize natural product-based drug discovery by making it faster, cost-effective, and more reliable
The success of the webinar was made possible under the guidance of Dr. Rupesh Soni, Principal of B.R. Nahata college of Pharmacy, with coordination by Mr. Krishnapal Nagda
