Today's episode of Drug Diaries focuses on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and the groundbreaking research conducted by Somesh Mohapatra and his team. They have used artificial intelligence and experimental chemistry to develop new sequences for gene therapy in DMD. The research involved experimental screening, machine learning, interpretability, and optimization. The process took approximately six years and is now pending for clinical trials. Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the entire value chain of DMD treatment, from genetic screening to diagnosis, administration, and manufacturing logistics. There are common myths about AI, but interpretability helps address them. In this conversation, Somesh Mohapatra, discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence and drug discovery. He explains how AI can be used to accelerate the drug discovery process, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs. Somesh also shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in the field, the importance of collaboration between AI researchers and domain experts, and the role of mentorship in career development. He emphasizes the need for researchers to concentrate on the present, understand their why, and continuously learn and adapt. Somesh's passion for mentoring and his commitment to driving positive change in the world are evident throughout the conversation. Keywords Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, DMD, gene therapy, artificial intelligence, experimental chemistry, research, clinical trials, genetic screening, diagnosis, administration, manufacturing logistics, interpretability, artificial intelligence, drug discovery, AI, patient outcomes, collaboration, mentorship, career development Takeaways Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating genetic disorder that affects approximately one in every 3,500 boys worldwide. Somesh Mohapatra and his team have used artificial intelligence and experimental chemistry to develop new sequences for gene therapy in DMD. The research involved experimental screening, machine learning, interpretability, and optimization, and took approximately six years. Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the entire value chain of DMD treatment, from genetic screening to diagnosis, administration, and manufacturing logistics. Interpretability of AI models helps address common myths and concerns about the field. Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the drug discovery process by accelerating research, improving patient outcomes, and reducing costs. Collaboration between AI researchers and domain experts is crucial for the successful application of AI in drug discovery. Mentorship plays a vital role in career development, providing guidance, support, and valuable insights. Researchers should concentrate on the present, understand their why, and continuously learn and adapt to stay at the forefront of their field. Titles The Power of Artificial Intelligence in DMD Treatment The Potential of AI Across the Value Chain of DMD Treatment The Role of Mentorship in Career Development The Power of Collaboration in AI and Drug Discovery Sound Bites "Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or DMD is a rare but cruel disease that affects approximately one in every 3,500 boys worldwide." "Somesh Mahapatra, a brilliant researcher who has contributed significantly towards finding a treatment for DMD." "Gene therapy is like a new instruction sheet. Scientists use these gene therapeutics and deliver it to the cells through either harmless viruses, peptides, or just the drug alone to deliver a healthy copy of the dystrophin gene into muscle cells." "AI can capture chemical insights not well known in the field before" "AI can help devise new antibiotics and model protein structures" "Making AI research accessible and reducing time to market" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 01:33 The Journey of Somesh Mahapatra 04:59 Improving the Effectiveness of...