AI and Failed Antibiotic Revolutionize Farming and Medicine

A molecule that was initially developed as an antibiotic to treat tuberculosis but failed to progress out of the lab is now showing promise as a powerful weed killer. Scientists at the University of Adelaide discovered that by tweaking its structure, the molecule became effective at killing two of the most problematic weeds in Australia, annual ryegrass and wild radish, without harming bacterial and human cells. Weeds cost the Australian agriculture industry more than $5 billion each year, and this discovery could lead to the development of new and safe herbicides to the market.