Machine learning model helps scientists identify source of deadly viruses

Researchers created a machine learning software that analyzes virus' genetic information to predict which groups of animals the virus will likely spread to, according to a paper published Nov. 1 in Science. For the study, researchers at the University of Glasgow in the U.K. collected epidemiological and genetic data on several hundred viruses with known animal hosts that can spread to humans. Using machine learning, researchers created a computer model to predict which animal groups would most likely host a virus, based on its RNA genome. The model can predict one of 11 likely animal groups, such as rodents or primates, but cannot identify a specific species as the likely virus carrier. "We would love to know the species," said Daniel Streicker, PhD, a disease ecologist at the University of Glasgow and lead study author.