AINU, or AI of the NUcleus, is a tool that analyses high-resolution cell pictures. The photos are produced using a unique microscopy method known as STORM. That produces a picture that captures a great deal more fine information than is possible with conventional microscopes. The nanoscale resolution of the high-definition pictures reveals structures. This AI technology detects cancer and viral infection.
ICREA Research Professor Pia Cosma said
The resolution of these images is powerful enough for our AI to recognize specific patterns and differences with remarkable accuracy, including changes in how DNA is arranged inside cells, helping spot alterations very soon after they occur. We think that, one day, this type of information can buy doctors valuable time to monitor disease, personalize treatments and improve patient outcomes,”
Facial recognition on the molecular level
AINU is a convolutional neural network, which is a sort of artificial intelligence. It is created primarily for analyzing visual input such as photographs. Convolutional neural networks are utilized by self-driving cars to understand and navigate environments by recognizing things on the road, as well as AI tools that allow users to unlock cell phones using their faces.
AINU recognizes and analyses small structures within cells at the molecular level. The researchers trained the model by providing nanoscale-resolution photos of the nucleus from a variety of cell types and states. The model learned to recognize specific patterns in cells by analyzing the distribution and arrangement of nuclear components in three dimensions.
Cancer cells, for example, show unique differences in nuclear structure from normal cells. Such as abnormalities in DNA organization or enzyme distribution inside the nucleus. Following training, AINU was able to analyze new photos of cell nuclei. And determine whether they were malignant or normal based solely on these traits.
The nanoscale resolution of the photos allowed the AI to detect alterations in a cell’s nucleus as early as one hour after infection with the herpes simplex virus type-1. The model might detect the virus by detecting minor variations in how densely DNA is packed. That occurs when a virus begins to modify the structure of the cell’s nucleus.
Ignacio Arganda-Carreras, co-corresponding author of the study said
Our method can detect cells that have been infected by a virus very soon after the infection starts. Normally, it takes time for doctors to spot an infection because they rely on visible symptoms or larger changes in the body. But with AINU, we can see tiny changes in the cell’s nucleus right away
Groundwork for clinical readiness
Though clinical benefits may be years away, AINU is expected to expedite scientific research in the medium term. The researchers discovered that the method could detect stem cells with high precision. Pluripotency refers to the ability of stem cells to differentiate into any form of cell found in the body. Pluripotent cells are being explored for their ability to repair or replace damaged tissues.
AINU has the potential to speed up and improve the accuracy of pluripotent cell detection. Thereby, making stem cell therapies more successful and safe.
