# AI creates new viruses that kill bacteria, raising biosecurity fears

2026-08-09T09:59:17+00:00 | Technology | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Stanford University and Arc Institute researchers used the AI system Evo 2, trained on millions of genetic sequences, to design 16 synthetic bacteriophages that proved viable against E. coli. The viruses, created in a secure lab using a non-pathogenic strain, killed bacteria more effectively than the natural ΦX174 phage. The study published in Science marks the first time AI has designed an entire viral genome. Biosecurity experts including Dr Filippa Lentzos of King’s College London warn that open-source access to such models could enable misuse, though the Stanford team noted they used safety precautions and no animal-infecting viruses were involved.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/ai-creates-viruses-never-found-in-nature-breakthrough-or-biosafety-risk-article-155388960>
- deccanherald.com <https://www.deccanherald.com/health/healthcare/scientists-use-ai-to-design-synthetic-viruses-for-the-first-time-4105007>

Tags: AI, biosafety, Evo 2, generative biology, phage therapy, Stanford
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