The world is seeing more and more applications of AI in the field of medicine especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this week’s AI guide we will discuss how AI is helping to identify the different types of malaria parasites in blood samples for better diagnosis. Also, the role of machine learning models in speeding up the process of drug repurposing. 

IIT-Bombay researchers’ artificial intelligence model to identify malaria parasites

Researchers from IIT Bombay have collaborated with three hospitals in the country to create artificial intelligence models that can help in differentiating two major species of the malaria parasite, i.e P-falciparum and P-vivax. They have used proteomics technologies and made AI models for better malaria diagnosis. 

This AI-based model can be used for diagnosis and prognosis of the two malaria parasite species based on the changing trend of proteins in human blood. The data collected for this study was the blood samples from patients with severe and mild cases of falciparum malaria, vivax malaria, and dengue, as well as from a healthy group of people.

Using artificial intelligence to find new uses for existing medications

A machine learning method crunches massive amounts of data to help scientists understand which existing medication could improve outcomes in other diseases for which they are not prescribed.

This work is to speed up drug repurposing which is an old concept. For example, Botox injections were first approved to treat cross-eyes but now is helpful in migraine treatment and cosmetic surgery. The researchers at Ohio State University have created a framework that combines patient care related datasets with powerful computation to arrive at repurposed drug candidates and estimated effects of these existing medications on a defined set of outcomes. 

Head to the Great Learning Academy for free courses on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. 

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