Science, medicine and technology go hand in hand to achieve future-oriented results. It seems like it was yesterday that researchers were talking about regenerative medicine and stem cells for treating disease. The same applies to artificial intelligence (AI). Today though, to see a fusion of these sciences that will push research to new heights. The word AI is pretty daunting. Fortunately, we don’t all have to learn the theory! In very simple terms, AI is about programming computers to “learn” like humans do, so it is sometimes referred to as machine learning. Take the example of the new gadgets we have these days, Alexa, Google Home, etc. that learn to respond to our habits and preferences based on previous commands. In medicine, AI can be used to optimize detection and diagnostic tools, treatments, patient record databases, etc.
Speaking of regenerative medicine, this branch seeks to harness the body’s innate healing capacity through stem cells, growth factors, peptides, etc. This medicine is also new but shows enormous potential in treating various diseases. You would have definitely heard of cord blood banks that store stem cells from the umbilical cord of newborns.
Combining Artificial Intelligence And Regenerative Medicine
Researchers are now investigating the different properties of stem cells, how they function in the human body, what different ways they can be brought into clinical practice, etc. This is where AI can help. The technology can be used to predict the behaviour of cells in different environments, like simulating the human environment with technology. This would enable us to receive more detailed information more quickly, which would help to transfer regenerative medicine therapies into clinical practice more quickly.
Another possible combined application of the two technologies is the 3D printing of organs. We heard about the global shortage of organ donors. Several patients die after waiting several years for a kidney, heart, or liver! artificial organs, understanding anatomical challenges during treatment, organ design, etc., everything can be made possible by AI algorithms. Here, stem cells can be used in conjunction with other biological materials to develop functional 3D printed organs. Soon we could have a day when pacemakers are a thing of the past, we could have a 3D printed heart with blood vessels and muscles that really beat!
In the field of diagnostics, AI and stem cell research can be combined to create models of various diseases to study abnormalities in organs and possibly identify subtle changes that enable early diagnosis and treatment. Consider detecting Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s illlness at an early stage, then it is possible to start treatment early and help the patient to be more independent for a longer time.
Many researchers are already working on artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms in the field of neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, etc., through which clinical pictures are recognized and categorized for their personalized diagnosis and treatment.
Four Areas Of Regenerative Medicine Where AI Can Be Of Help
The possibilities are endless and we are just starting to explore it all, it may seem like a fairy tale at the moment, but technologies are advancing rapidly. One study identified four areas in regenerative medicine where AI would be of great help to cells manufacturing and scaling for allogeneic and autologous cell therapies, development of industry standards for regenerative medicine, 3D bioprinting and automation. While nothing can replace the highest human brain, machines can help accelerate breakthroughs, which is urgently needed in the medical field!
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