Machine learning prediction of multiple distinct high-affinity chemotypes for α-synuclein fibrils

Abstract

To identify new ligands for positron emission tomography imaging of α-synuclein aggregates, we developed a machine learning model trained on <300 binding measurements. We used scaffold-guided curation to select a 30 compound prospective set from a 140-million-member library. Experimental validation yielded five high-affinity binders, showing robust generalization for ligand discovery.

Graphical abstract: Machine learning prediction of multiple distinct high-affinity chemotypes for α-synuclein fibrils

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
31 Oct 2025
Accepted
16 Dec 2025
First published
13 Jan 2026
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Commun., 2026, Advance Article

Machine learning prediction of multiple distinct high-affinity chemotypes for α-synuclein fibrils

X. Li, R. M. Perez, Z. Tu, R. H. Mach, S. Giannakoulias and E. J. Petersson, Chem. Commun., 2026, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D5CC06228D

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