Peptide Toxins as Biothreats and the Potential for AI Systems to Enhance Biosecurity

Abstract

Biological weapons have been used for thousands of years, but recent advances in synthesis technologies have made peptide and protein toxin production more accessible and pose a threat to biosecurity worldwide. Natural toxins such as conotoxins, certain hemolytic compounds, and enterotoxins are peptide agents that can be synthesized in an environment with weak biosecurity measures and rudimentarily weaponized for limited use against smaller targets for lethal or nonlethal effects. Technological advances are changing the threat landscape around biological weapons and potentially facilitating a shift from state sponsored to more micro-level threats stemming from terror cells, insider threats, and lone wolf attacks. Here, we present the reader with an overview of the threat of peptide and protein toxins, provide examples of potent peptide toxins, and introduce capabilities of a proposed biosecurity program utilizing artificial intelligence that unifies commercial nucleotide and peptide synthesis vendors.

Chemical interactions modulate λ6‐85stability in cells

“…Despite playing biologically important roles as binding domains (Chen et al, 2018), toxins (Lee et al, 2022), and motor signals (van den Pol, 2012), as well as encountering the same cytosolic matrix as larger proteins, studies aimed at understanding the cellular effects on peptides and small proteins (<100 a.a.) have largely been limited to E. coli (Cohen & Pielak, 2016; Ghaemmaghami & Oas, 2001; Monteith & Pielak, 2014; Mu et al, 2017; Stadmiller et al, 2017), whose cytoplasm is fundamentally different from eukaryotic cells. For example, the average length of a “typical” protein sequence is ≈200 a.a. in prokaryotes and ≈400 a.a. in eukaryotes (Brocchieri & Karlin, 2005).…”

One Health: Safeguarding Biosecurity and Cyberbiosecurity in Toxin and Venom Research Laboratories

“…Research on toxins and venoms is essential to understand more about them and explore the possibilities of using them for therapeutic applications [1][2][3][4][5]. However, toxins and venoms from research laboratories could be misused by nefarious actors [6][7][8][9]. Hence, for biological risk (biorisk) mitigation from one health perspective, the best practices of biosecurity and cyberbiosecurity should be in place at all toxin and venom research laboratories.…”

Dual-Modal Cellular Nanoparticles for Continuous Neurotoxin Detoxification

“…1,2 Some of these toxins have even been weaponized for use in chemical and biological warfare, underscoring their potential for harm. 3,4 However, amidst their toxicity, certain neurotoxins exhibit unique therapeutic properties, offering hope for treating various neuronal disorders. 5,6 Nevertheless, the wide-ranging applications of neurotoxins highlight the critical need for robust detoxification strategies aimed at bolstering biodefense or managing toxin intoxication in clinical settings effectively.…”

“…Neurotoxins are among the most potent toxins found in nature, capable of inflicting severe damage to the nervous system with unparalleled potency. , Some of these toxins have even been weaponized for use in chemical and biological warfare, underscoring their potential for harm. , However, amidst their toxicity, certain neurotoxins exhibit unique therapeutic properties, offering hope for treating various neuronal disorders. , Nevertheless, the wide-ranging applications of neurotoxins highlight the critical need for robust detoxification strategies aimed at bolstering biodefense or managing toxin intoxication in clinical settings effectively . Unfortunately, developing such strategies, especially those with broad-spectrum capabilities, remains a significant challenge …”