An AI Hunt for Neanderthal Antibiotics

Author: Dan Ferber, PhD
Published date: 8 September 2026
Category:
Human Health Innovation
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Like many scientists, Cesar de la Fuente, a University of Pennsylvania bioengineer, is hunting for molecules that could kill drug-resistant bacteria. But he’s looking in places few others have thought to look, including animal venom, prions and extinct humans, including Neanderthals. 

The idea is to use AI to explore areas of biology for molecules that resistant bacteria may never have encountered. We enjoyed this podcast interview with de la Fuente by Francesco Marino, host of the science podcast DigitMondo, and thought you would, too.

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