TL;DR:
- Two high school students partnered with Insilico Medicine to identify new target genes for glioblastoma and aging.
- The students used Insilico’s AI platform, PandaOmics, to analyze trillions of data points and discover CNGA3, GLUD1, and SIRT1 as new target genes.
- Their findings were published in Aging, a peer-reviewed biomedical academic journal.
- The discovery of these target genes could lead to the development of new drugs that specifically target glioblastoma.
- Insilico Medicine has successfully identified targets for other diseases and has a pipeline of 31 AI-designed drugs.
- The students utilized data from the Gene Expression Omnibus to enhance their research.
- Data sharing is crucial for advancing disease understanding and improving patient well-being.
- Aging is closely linked to cancer, and targeting genes associated with aging may prevent the negative effects and improve quality of life.
- AI has the potential to transform healthcare by improving disease prediction, identification, target discovery, and drug development.
- Human scientists are essential, as they drive scientific breakthroughs and collaborate with AI to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare.
Main AI News:
Two high school students, Andrea Olsen, 18, from Oslo, Norway, and Zachary Harpaz, 16, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are making significant strides in the fight against glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is one of the most lethal forms of brain cancer, with patients surviving an average of only eight months after diagnosis, according to the National Brain Tumor Society.
Partnering with Hong Kong-based medical technology company Insilico Medicine, the two students used the company’s AI platform, PandaOmics, to identify three new target genes linked to glioblastoma and aging. CNGA3, GLUD1, and SIRT1 are the new target genes discovered by the students, and their findings have been published in Aging, a peer-reviewed biomedical academic journal.
Olsen began studying neuroscience in 2020 and started an internship in 2021 with Insilico Medicine, where she learned to use AI to uncover new genetic targets to treat aging and cancer. Meanwhile, Harpaz, who had been focusing on computer science and biology at Pine Crest High School, had a personal motivation for studying glioblastoma, as a childhood friend had the disease.
After reaching out to Insilico Medicine CEO Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, Harpaz was connected with Olsen, and the two students began working together on the glioblastoma project. The discovery of the three new target brain tumor genes could lead to the development of new drugs that hone in on specific areas to stop the disease. This approach is a significant improvement over traditional chemotherapy, which attacks all fast-growing cells, causing damage to other parts of the body.
The students presented their findings at the Aging Research and Drug Discovery (ARDD) conference in Copenhagen and now plan to continue their research into new drugs to fight glioblastoma. Christopher Ren, a high school student from Shanghai, China, also contributed to the research. The work of these young students offers hope for those suffering from glioblastoma and demonstrates the potential of AI in medical research.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Insilico Medicine and a team of visionary high school students have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to identify therapeutic targets for devastating diseases such as glioblastoma. Led by Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, CEO of Insilico Medicine, this cutting-edge research has the potential to revolutionize the field of medicine.
Insilico’s remarkable AI platform, PandaOmics, analyzes trillions of data points, encompassing a vast range of human biological data, scientific publications, clinical trials, and grant applications. This intricate analysis allows the system to identify new disease targets with unprecedented precision. By scoring these targets based on novelty, druggability, and safety, scientists gain invaluable insights into the most promising avenues to pursue.
The impact of Insilico’s AI system extends far beyond glioblastoma. The company has successfully identified new targets for cancer, fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other complex diseases. With an impressive pipeline of 31 AI-designed drugs, including treatments for COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis, Insilico Medicine is at the forefront of biomedical innovation.
To achieve their remarkable results, the students utilized Insilico’s AI platform to screen data from the Gene Expression Omnibus, a comprehensive repository maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Their work highlights the significance of data in driving scientific progress and improving lives. Zachary Harpaz, one of the gifted students, emphasized the importance of data sharing in advancing our understanding of diseases and enhancing patient well-being.
Glioblastoma, a particularly challenging disease due to the scarcity of available data, motivated the students’ focused efforts. Andrea Olsen, another remarkable young mind, explained that the lack of comprehensive data impedes the analysis and development of new therapies. As a call to action, she urged individuals to contribute their medical information, allowing for comprehensive genetic sequencing that can prevent such diseases in the future.
The students’ groundbreaking research also underscores the undeniable connection between aging and cancer. Data from the World Health Organization reveals that over 50% of individuals diagnosed with cancer are aged 65 or older. Inspired by this link, Olsen and Harpaz directed their attention toward target genes associated with both aging and glioblastoma. Recognizing that aging is a significant contributor to various diseases, including cancer, Harpaz emphasized the potential to prevent the negative effects of aging and enhance the overall quality of life.
Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, the visionary founder of Insilico Medicine, firmly believes that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform every aspect of healthcare and medicine. From disease prediction to identification, target discovery, and the development of new drugs, AI offers unprecedented possibilities.
Traditionally, the process of drug discovery is arduous, time-consuming, and exorbitantly expensive. It takes over a decade and costs approximately $2 billion to bring a single drug to market, with 90% of drug candidates failing during human trials. Zhavoronkov recognizes the urgent need to overcome these challenges and ensure life-saving medications reach patients more efficiently.
AI has already made significant strides in healthcare, aiding in patient screening, disease identification, predictions, and progress monitoring. Zhavoronkov envisions a future where AI plays a pivotal role in advancing personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their unique profiles. This transformative approach has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes.
While Zhavoronkov is optimistic about the capabilities of AI, he emphasizes the indispensable role of human scientists. While AI can tackle tedious and repetitive tasks, accelerating the pace of discovery, it is the brilliance and creativity of human minds that drive scientific breakthroughs. Human scientists are the true architects behind the power of AI.
Addressing concerns about AI and robots replacing humans, Zhavoronkov reassures that technology is an instrument wielded by humans to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. AI’s exponential growth in complexity allows it to accomplish tasks at an unprecedented level. However, it is the collaboration between human intelligence and AI that holds the key to realizing the full potential of technological advancements in healthcare.
In the realm of healthcare, the fusion of AI and human expertise promises a revolution that will improve the speed, quality, and accessibility of healthcare services. By harnessing the power of AI, we can conquer the challenges of drug discovery, accelerate diagnoses, and tailor treatments to individual patients. The future of healthcare is a collaborative synergy between human intelligence and AI, where the possibilities are limitless.
Conlcusion:
The groundbreaking research conducted by high school students in collaboration with Insilico Medicine, utilizing AI technology and data analytics, holds tremendous promise for the market. The identification of new target genes for glioblastoma and aging opens up possibilities for the development of innovative drugs that can specifically target these devastating diseases. This advancement not only demonstrates the potential of AI in medical research but also highlights the growing importance of data-driven approaches in healthcare.
Furthermore, the successful utilization of AI in drug discovery and personalized medicine sets the stage for transformative changes in the healthcare market, with the potential to improve patient outcomes and revolutionize the industry. As AI continues to evolve and human intelligence collaborates with technology, businesses, and investors should closely monitor these developments, as they represent significant opportunities for market growth, innovation, and the delivery of improved healthcare solutions.
