University researchers have successfully produced a vaccine designed by artificial intelligence (AI), in a discovery they say is the first of its kind.

Researchers took genetic codes from a range of coronaviruses, found by surveillance programmes searching for potential viral threats. These codes were analysed by AI, which then designed a “super-antigen.” Such an antigen could train the immune system to protect against a whole family of viruses, even if they mutated or moved from animals to people.

Professor Jonathan Heeney, from the University’s Department of Veterinary Medicine which led the research, said that when it comes to vaccines and pandemics “We’re always behind,” and that the aim “is [to] get ahead of the curve” to protect people against new outbreaks. He added that this AI technology was “surprising all of us,” and it is “amazing what we can do with it for the good of humanity.”

This development would protect populations from existing viruses, as well as being adaptable to those which will cause viral illnesses in the future.

The AI “super-antigen” was recently trialled in 39 people for the first time, to assess whether the vaccines were safe. While very successful, showing no significant side effects, the team aims to move to a second trial with 200 participants. This will give a greater understanding of how well the technology is training the immune system.

The University team is already performing animal research on universal seasonal flu vaccines and a H5N1-bird flu vaccine. The work would be vital if the virus, which is currently devastating bird populations, became a human epidemic.

Researchers are further working on vaccines for viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola. Current Ebola epidemics, such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are caused by a species which does not yet have a vaccine developed for it.

This research has primarily been funded by Innovate UK, an organisation mostly financed by the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The work has been praised by the Science Minister Lord Vallance, who said: “Another British science success story, this is a great example of how we can bring our research expertise together with AI to deliver new treatments.”

He added: “With the first human trials showing positive results, this work could help speed up the roll out of vaccines to benefit people all over the world in the long-term”.

Professor Marian Knight, scientific director for the National Institute for Health and Care Research, said: “The remarkable success of this AI-designed ‘super-antigen’ trial makes a pivotal leap forward.”