The Science of the Future: Bioengineering & Artificial Intelligence

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AI Club VIT Bhopal

12 min readMay 31, 2021

The 21st century. With 20 years in our rear-view mirror that has defined cultures, nations, people, and our topic for today — science. Our expectations of ourselves are only higher for the coming years. Today’s society is led by a new generation; who have defined the new normal. A vision of the future, empowered by new technologies and dreams; to a science fiction fan like me — I wait with bated breath as to what we can achieve and will.

THE NEW SCIENCE

Science had begun when our earliest ancestors understood the difference between the poisonous Holly berries and the Blueberries. Logic. The defining moment of any instance is the simple reason that has supported innovation, development, and the upliftment of our species into civilizations.

Science is simply the practice of rationale. When seen in the context of the modern world — Science is the study of the world around us.

Today, the human brain is the most advanced entity to make sense of its environment and choose independently. So, in the modern world, we began to understand what makes the brain, the brain. As neuroscience, and imaging techniques evolved and what we understood more about the brain grew we made a simple analogy. The brain stands as a champion of independent operation, then mimicking it will allow us to create and perfect — Artificial Intelligence i.e. Independent Logic.

Later, we will surely discuss what artificial intelligence brings to the table and how bioengineering is benefited from it. For now, let us understand, why we need a New Science. A bold combination between artificial intelligence and bioengineering. This is about finding a middle ground between two opposites. Artificial Intelligence, a product of neuroscience, was never seen to be compatible with biology at the start. As engineering and Artificial Intelligence got along well we understood that biology is a vital component through which any advancement can hope to benefit a human and hence, this gap is where I would like to propose this New Science.

My only hope is that you see it the way I see the next few years as the best of mankind set out to define the new normal.

BIOENGINEERING

The Sherlock Holmes of 21st-Century Science

Sherlock Holmes, a creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is by far the most sophisticated character in detective stories. He is shown as a person who understands people better than they do themselves and can pick up clues when even the best detectives fail. To, me when I draw an analogy to a field of science — Bioengineering hits the mark. Why? Bioengineering like Sherlock Holmes is the perfect application of life and physical science, mathematics, and engineering principles to understand, and apply our knowledge to the world around us. Similarly, Mr. Holmes understands the secrets of London better than anyone.

Biological engineering is a relatively new field of study in science which began as a mainstream discipline after the second world war, 1954 in the National Institute of Medical Research, United Kingdom. Simply put, it comprises chemical, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering applied to a living organism.

Now, we only seem to appreciate something when we know what it has done for us. It is simply human nature. Bioengineering has done a lot in defining the way we live in the modern world.

X-RAY MACHINES

X- Ray Machines, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and Ultrasound when taken together have supported the development of medical treatments. This trio has allowed surgeons to understand the parts of the human body that need their attention. The more valuable aspect is through non—invasive methods which greatly save costs and ensures patient comfort.

NANOTECHNOLOGY

A form of technology that is applied to the world in nanometers (10⁹) times smaller than meters. The importance of this technology is seen through its capability to detect and treat various forms of cancer at the cellular level.

GENOME EDITING

A genome is an entire collection of an organism’s DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid) which contains the unique genetics that makes every living organism unique. By understanding what makes us, bioengineering allows us to understand who we are and develop methods to rectify an illness. Injury and many more implications for our bodies.

What does Bioengineering promise us in the coming decade? A better way of life, effective medical methods, or is it just a science-fiction pipe dream?

Bioengineering offers so many options and numerous avenues that when subjected to accurate research can redefine the way we live forever.

Tissue Engineering

Have you ever imagined if our tissues (building blocks of organs) can regenerate on a certain command? Surely, though a biological or even an electrical impulse for that matter. If you did, then you were right. It can be done. Currently, scientists have been able to design cells whose behavior has been programmed to a certain degree. This allows us to determine growth, shape, and even their properties. It all begins with a scaffold, which is a form of support for the cells to grow around, and by using ‘bioinks’ made of these ‘programmed’ cells to design a new tissue entirely.

Wearable Devices

Yes. Look at your Fitbit, your heartbeat tracker. These devices are what the technological community calls wearable devices. Devices that you wear… but why should you know about them? Bioengineering allows us to take care of ourselves better and, more importantly, allows health organizations to collect data. Biological data to notice and detect any patterns of illness which can be a precursor to widespread disease. By monitoring health parameters in real-time, we can see the development of real-time medical facilities in the coming years.

Now, allow me to introduce you to Sherlock Holmes’s loyal friend — Doctor Watson to define the New Science.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The Doctor Watson of the New Science

Doctor Watson is the anchor that tethers the great detective to a way of life that we all loved to see in the Netflix series and the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. When we draw a parallel to what Artificial Intelligence is to Bioengineering, we can see a similarity emerging. Artificial Intelligence gives meaning to Bioengineering by empowering and pushing its achievements and vice versa to newer and greater heights. Artificial Intelligence is a term that encompasses various types and subsets of artificial intelligence. These types/subsets are a product of machine learning, big data analysis, and natural language processing — big words, aren’t they? Simply put, Artificial Intelligence will become a crucial part of daily human life as bioengineering grows in importance. Let’s talk about what Artificial Intelligence brings to the table.

Adaptive Nature

Machines and robots designed through programs have been given the ability to learn from any form of input. Such entities can design an algorithm based on numerous inputs to better do their function.

Logical Analysis

In 2016, Hanson Robotics made a bold statement with its introduction of Sophia. This world-famous product in the field of robotics — sends ripples and questions as to what is next. Though primitive, Sophia showed the first successful workings of logical analysis that is akin to how we as humans process our information. Though speculative minds critique this innovation as a chatbot’ with a human face, without dreams and small triumphs like this we cannot hope to develop a new science.

Capability to manage data

The biggest boon that artificial intelligence has brought into the discussion is its ability to understand and categorize raw data from the environment and analyze it faster, and with close to zero error. This level of complexity cannot be achieved by a human mind. As we introduce deep learning and machine learning into the mix, such data make sense.

Deep learning is the component of a machine that is capable of learning new and efficient methods from the data it is exposed to rather than being restricted to task-specific workflow. While machine learning searches for patterns in a dataset and relies on inference from this data and creating similar models.

IN THE 21st CENTURY

Scientific research accelerated in the 21st century with the onset of new technologies and amenities for scientists/researchers to use to accelerate the process and ensure accurate results. Clinical research and the ability to shift through large amounts of data has been a boon for researchers as each question that has been asked demands a more complex answer.

In Clinical Research

Let’s talk about Obesity. A problem that plagues the majority of the adult population and now teenagers as well. Weight gain, in simple terms, is a metabolic disorder that culminated in the development of obesity. The characteristic feature of obesity is the development of a chronic inflammation that contributes to severe weight gain. Studies into obesity require an accurate identification system and a library to maintain this crucial information.

Machine learning in this study was used in the tracking of the biomarkers. The method ranked each biomarker based on its importance. The program is capable of handling numerous complex variables related to the expression of said biomarkers allowing researchers to grade accurately by looking at the bigger picture. By defining the parameters, researchers were allowed to focus on a few important molecules and allow the machine to carry out the tasks required to get an analysis. Following this process, the system defines a model to classify similar features in a new individual which can also be used to characterize and gain a head start in future clinical trials.

To handle ever-growing data

Let us get one thing out of the way — we humans are not good at handling complex data. We are confined to a very small space of hypothesis. But, when this is applied to biology, our usual methodologies fall short. As opposed to mathematics and its complementary fields, where something is assumed meaningful by supporting theorems and axioms. In biology, nothing can be assumed without proving it over and over again through complex models. We are unable to see the bigger picture, the larger data and this is where artificial intelligence comes to the aid. Predictive modeling of how an enzyme would react in any circumstance to understand its function. Biological systems are innately complex and require models to express their parameters accurately.

The Ability to Predict

A large portion of biology is based on a meager amount of proof. This is because of the sheer amount of parameters that are yet to be understood. Let me give you an example; Ribonucleic Acid is expected to be a more important aspect of a living organism than we give credit for, while Deoxyribonucleic Acid is the one that makes us who we are. But how? That remains the question. Due to the complicated nature of its structure and the way it is safely tucked away inside a cell, it becomes difficult to ascertain it accurately.

***Say in every circle there is a variable that defines a certain biological system. Using Deep Learning, we can understand the dependency of the system and also see the bigger picture.***

In biology, more often than not by creating an accurate structure visualization of the entity, the function can be defined. Models created using deep learning principles allow us to track and even predict possible shapes and configurations of our choice of biological molecule. Programmed on the current understanding of biology and by applying sound assumptions we can find and determine any out-of-the-ordinary behavior allowing us to find the light in the dark. By following this light we understand a new aspect of the system. Artificial intelligence allows us to quite literally become Doctor Strange with the Time Stone. We can now peer into numerous permutations and combinations and hence, pointing us in the not-so-wrong direction.

Fighting COVID

2020. The world was quite frankly ambushed by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). This led to numerous and simultaneous clinical trials to develop the needed vaccine/drug. The outcomes became exponentially hard to compare with unique results, which by the use of IDentif.AI were answered.

IDentif.AI is a platform that compares experimental data with AI and the digital development of drugs which allows researchers to rapidly define the unpredictable behavior of the drug. Half a million drug combinations were paired against the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus which was collected from a patient sample. The platform was competent enough to find the optimal combination of the drugs we are currently taking in our nearest vaccination centers; remdesivir, ritonavir, and lopinavir. The cherry on the top of the cake was the time factor — it was completed within two weeks.

The sheer promise of such a platform based on implementing artificial intelligence to crunch big data based on biological inputs allows for the reinvention of clinical methods to create and test drugs. This period has separated IDentif.AI from the competition as a potential candidate to combat future outbreaks and achieve superior drugs in the market with high efficiency.

THE BIG PICTURE

Human Intelligence (HI) is the human factor that is to be given due credit. Understanding workflows and the context of applications is something only a human brain can achieve. The tools that AI brings into the modern world by handling and providing the required computing power to answer questions that require not-so-easy answers need to be in tandem with Human Intelligence. The problem that remains yet to be tackled is the creation of better governance frameworks to include AI in health care.

But we are not here to discuss the obstacles but rather the dream. A hope of combining bioengineering’s understanding of the world around us with the ability of artificial intelligence to understand the big picture. Bioeningnging in extension is primarily applied in the field of biomedical sciences. With the increasing reliance on promoting data-driven health care, diagnosis quality has increased as therapeutic innovations become more specialized through advancements in bioengineering.

***A side-by-side comparison showing a typical medical implant (right) and an implant using an all-glass technology (left).***

Tracking molecules, understanding cancer’s true nature, and defining life will never be the same. AI has changed the entire demographic completely. 3D Printing promises to answer the global deficit of transplantable organs to patients, gene editing remains in the spotlight with breakthroughs in understanding the design of a human body to combat chronic and genetic diseases.

We all understand the importance of the role it plays in our lives.

In the coming years, we need to keep in mind the importance of miniaturization and an efficient manufacturing system to deliver the hope this ‘new science’ promises us.

Miniaturization

The smaller a device is, the better it can serve its purpose. The device that you are in your hand right now is a perfect example of miniaturization. From the first computers being as big as a room to a small compact work laptop. Similarly, the applications of machine learning and bioengineering appliances can be exponentially increased by achieving smaller space. This will allow them to be incorporated into literally any platform with little to no wastage of space in a product.

Biomanufacturing

A product will only make sense when it has the flexibility to be produced on an industrial scale. This metric is the make-or-break point. It becomes the defining step in bioengineering applications such as wearable devices to 3D printed organs. Automation could be the answer to a more efficient process. We need to keep our minds open to the possibilities of new and innovative methods.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE

Finally, the fact comes down to the duty of intrepid researchers like ourselves to ensure that our findings make it to the people. These innovations may remain dormant in the annals of scientific literature without any insight if they fail to meet the hopes and expectations that rest upon such discoveries. We as a species are determined to define a new ordinary; from unraveling the threads of mysteries in the biological world around us, artificial intelligence empowers us to understand questions and answer them definitively.

With that in mind, one can only assume the possibilities it unlocks as the very best of science join arms for the only goal — the betterment of humankind.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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