Sanjana Rao, Ph.D.

**Could AI put an end to animal testing? 🧬🐭** A recent BBC News article highlighted some groundbreaking developments in AI that could revolutionize our field. 🚀 From reducing the need for new animal tests 🐰 to creating virtual models of animals, AI is showing immense promise. One application involves using AI to sift through decades of existing animal testing data, making it easier for researchers to find relevant information. 📊 Joseph Manuppello from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine expresses optimism about AI models like ChatGPT, which can synthesize vast amounts of data efficiently. 🧠💡 Thomas Hartung , a toxicology professor at Johns Hopkins University, echoes this sentiment. He notes that AI is now involved in every stage of toxicity testing, providing an "enormous leap forward" in both power and accuracy. 🏋️‍♂️ With AI systems capable of making preliminary toxicity assessments at the push of a button, the potential for reducing animal testing could be significant. 🎯 However, it's not all smooth sailing. ⛵ Data bias remains a challenge, and full regulatory acceptance will take time. ⏳ Despite these hurdles, the progress made by projects like AnimalGAN and Virtual Second Species is encouraging. These AI-driven initiatives aim to replicate animal reactions to chemicals, potentially replacing the need for live animal testing. 🐕💻 While we are not yet at the point where AI can completely eliminate animal testing, the strides being made are paving the way for a future where we rely less on animals for scientific research. This is a cause worth championing, as it aligns with the evolving standards of ethical research and the quest for more humane scientific practices. 🌍💕 **What are your thoughts on the potential of AI in reducing or eliminating animal testing?** 🤔💬 #AI #AnimalTesting #Toxicology #LaboratoryResearch #Innovation #EthicalScience #FutureIsNow #EndAnimalTesting

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Day 19💃💃💃🚀🚀 We’re almost there—just 1 day to go! 🤭💃🚀🚀 Who’s excited already? Let’s dive into today’s focus. 🎯 Recently, there have been innovations going on in microbiology. And CRISPR-based Technology for Rapid Bacterial Detection is definitely one of them. A groundbreaking development in microbiology is the use of CRISPR-Cas systems for rapid bacterial detection in food and water. This technology is transforming how we detect bacterial pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli with: ✅ Unmatched Speed: Results in under 1 hour, compared to traditional methods taking 24-48 hours. ✅ High Accuracy: Pinpoints harmful bacteria without false positives. ✅ Wide Applications: Useful for food safety, water testing, and even clinical diagnostics. Benefits for the Population This innovation have been proven to help: 💡 Reduce foodborne illnesses by detecting contamination early. 💡 Ensure safer drinking water in underserved areas. 💡 Build consumer trust with improved food safety standards. What’s your take on CRISPR in microbiology? Would you trust foods tested with cutting-edge tech? Let’s chat in the comments! Follow me and turn on the 🔔 for more valuable updates on #MicrobiologyAndFoodScience #Microbiology #InnovationInMicrobiology #Day19of20

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**AI-based Videobastract from Research Paper** I recently tested the capabilities of the platform SciSpace to generate videoabstract from the most recent paper I co-authored. Results are good in my opinion. Thought? #AI #Researchpaper #Animalresearch

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Yesterday, I was at a #3R conference in Berlin. As the talks were presented, I wondered why the preclinical models without animals are called (wrongly) NAMS. Why are all methods not including animals called non-animals..... This adds negativity to the story where, according to yesterday's talks, we should have an integrative approach and be open. NAMs, per definition, are New Approach Methods. https://lnkd.in/dTBRrAac After all, we do not call non-organoid methods NOMS...or cellular methods NCMS. Thoughts? Would you like us to write a positional article about it? P.S. If you want to group such technologies, call them to see what they are accepted in the literature for: Non-Animal Technologies (NTS).

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🐾 The Continued Importance of Animal Models in Biomedical Research 🧬 Why Animal Models Matter in Today’s Research Landscape 🌍 As outlined in the recent Lab Animal article by Michael C. J. Chang & Franziska B. Grieder (Lab Animal, Vol 53, Nov 2024, 295–297), animal models are indispensable for understanding complex human diseases, despite advancements in alternative methods. Their insights are invaluable, particularly when it comes to human disease mechanisms and developing effective medical treatments. Five Key Benefits of Animal Models in Biomedical Research 📌 1. Translational Insights    Animal models provide essential data for translating lab findings into real-world solutions for conditions such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases. 2. Diverse Model Relevance    Each animal model, from rodents to nonhuman primates, offers unique physiological insights, ensuring studies remain applicable to human health. 3. Ethical & Regulatory Standards    Strong ethical frameworks, like the Animal Welfare Act and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs), guide the humane treatment of animals, ensuring scientific integrity. 4. Complement to Emerging Technologies    While promising, in vitro models like organs-on-chips are still developing. They provide additional insights but work best alongside animal models to deliver a fuller picture of human biology. 5. Preparedness for Health Crises    The article underscores the role of animal models in the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, highlighting the importance of maintaining robust facilities and trained researchers to handle new health challenges. Building a Future-Ready Infrastructure 🏢 Continued support for animal research infrastructure is critical. With well-equipped labs and comprehensive ethical standards, we can drive innovations that enhance human health, bridging basic research with clinical applications. 🔄 Share this post and follow for more on the essential role of animal models in advancing biomedical science. #AnimalResearch #BiomedicalScience #TranslationalMedicine

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🔬 💉 💊 13 Sci-Fi Novels Focusing on Biology and Biotech! I’ve compiled a (non-exhaustive) list of science fiction novels that center around biology and biotechnology. These books deal with genetic engineering, paleogenetics, evolutionary leaps, retroviruses, the nature of consciousness, iPSCs and polygenic scores. This list includes: - Books I’ve read (4/13) or plan to read - Only books from the past 25 years - Only one novel per author (sequels are mentioned). Have you read them all? Are you planning to add them to your reading list? Would you recommend more? Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments!

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🚨 New Video Alert! 🚨 📢 Ask the Expert: Marjan Slak Rupnik, PhD from Medical University Vienna dives into the fascinating world of Intracellular Ca2+ flux interactions in beta cells! 🧬 🧐 What role does calcium play in beta-cell function? How does this impact #Type1Diabetes research? Dr. Rupnik breaks it all down in this insightful episode. 🎥 Watch now: https://lnkd.in/grKwr7cS 💬 Join the conversation with #askthexpert #ATE #type1diabetes #t1d #betacells #pancreas #calcium #calciumflux #intracellularcalcium #novel #science #diabetes #diabetesresearch #t1dresearch

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“A missed opportunity never returns.” Or can it? Maybe the data is still coming. The updated ‘ACGS 2024 Best Practice Guidelines for Variant Classification in Rare Diseases’ were made available on 26th February 2024. This document provides a framework for categorising #genetic #variants based on their likelihood of causing #disease. These guidelines help #clinicians and #geneticists determine whether a variant is “pathogenic,” “benign” or a “Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS)”. Detected during genetic sequencing, a #VUS is both a specific yet also an unspecific result for which there is no or insufficient evidence either for or against pathogenicity. Often this is because they have only been identified in a limited number of people (sometimes only one). This is a common situation for #rarediseases. Variant classifications can evolve over time as new evidence emerges, leading to reclassification from one category to another. I was delighted to finally read that “Submission of variants to ClinVar by NHS laboratories in England is now a requirement following completion of the information governance review process.“ Previously, most of this anonymous data on variants was not shared outside of the NHS Genomic Medical Service (#GMS) with this international open source database called #ClinVar which helps support the #diagnosis of other individuals with the same genomic variants. Early days perhaps, in fact, it's only been 142 days since 26 February. Thinking of the adages “Well begun is half done” and “It takes 21 days to form a habit” I wondered how this requirement had translated.                              There have been 95 variant submissions on ClinVar by #NHS laboratories in England for this period. Do they accurately represent the total variant findings in England, or should we expect more? I have observed that not all GMS hubs have submitted data in 2024. The 95 consists of 60 Pathogenic/Likely Pathogenic, 15 VUS and 20 with Conflicting classifications of pathogenicity. Since many rare variants are unlikely to be re-observed, sharing variant interpretations in ClinVar serves as an ongoing quality assurance measure for laboratory reassessment of these rare variants. Is there bias introduced by not submitting Likely Benign or Benign variants? Of these 95 variants 30 (32%) of them were cancer-causing genes (including BRCA1 and BRCA2) and 22 (23%) represented one particular gene for which coincidentally the submitter is actively involved in structural and functional impact research. Given a population of 60 million(ish) in England I’m surprised by the numbers even over this short timeframe given there are 7000+ rare diseases. Am I correct in assuming this is due to the lack of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data? Does #WGS data also come under this requirement? Does anyone know? Association for Clinical Genomic Science (ACGS) #patientadvocacy

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Brilliant. A #malaria #vaccine given by mosquito bite. A trial is looking at delivering malaria immunity through bites from mosquitoes infected with modified versions of Plasmodium falciparum, one of the parasites that cause the disease. The parasites are genetically engineered to stop developing around six days after they enter the body, during a crucial phase of infection where they replicate in liver cells. In the trial, almost 90% of participants exposed to the modified parasites avoided contracting the diseaseafter being bitten by malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. https://lnkd.in/ddqdrBqN

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I’ve often heard people say that “catnip is just weed for cats.” Well, here’s why and why not. Catnip, known scientifically as Nepeta cataria, works its magic on cats thanks to a compound called nepetalactone. When cats sniff it, it stimulates receptors in their olfactory system, leading to behaviors like rolling around, rubbing against objects, and even purring. Around 70-80% of cats experience this reaction, which mimics a playful “high” that usually lasts 10-15 minutes. This effect is totally harmless, leaving cats relaxed and content once the initial fun wears off. The whole process involves brain regions responsible for emotions and behaviors, like the amygdala and hypothalamus. On the flip side, cannabis (Cannabis sativa) affects humans through THC, the psychoactive compound that binds to cannabinoid receptors in our brains. This can bring on feelings of euphoria and relaxation, but it can also trigger anxiety or paranoia depending on the person and dosage. Unlike catnip for cats, cannabis has a much more potent and varied impact on humans. Catnip doesn’t do anything to humans—we don’t have the receptors for nepetalactone, so there’s no “high” for us. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) has been used by humans primarily in the form of tea made from its leaves and flowers, traditionally used to relieve insomnia, anxiety, and digestive issues. It has calming properties similar to chamomile and has also been applied topically for minor cuts. The root was historically used as a stimulant, though this practice appears less documented today. #CatnipVsCannabis #CatnipScience #Zoopharmacognosy

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#Gut #Microbiota and #Healthy #Aging: Unravelling the Complexity for #Longevity Solutions Population is currently ageing much faster than in the past. According to the WHO, by 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will be aged 60 years or over. The number of people aged 80 years or above is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050, reaching 426 million (https://lnkd.in/dyuFQDve). Biologically speaking, ageing results from the accumulation of molecular and cellular impairment over time. Is that synonymous with disease? Not really 👨‍⚕️ 🆘 The process of ageing may occur either normal or pathological. While ‘‘normal or healthy” ageing happens in the absence of any diagnosed metabolic disorders or evident diseases, leading to higher life expectancy, ‘‘pathological” ageing refers to disease development due to metabolic and organ/tissue damage. Interestingly, #Centenarians inspire research on healthy ageing since, despite crossing the elderly, they do not succumb to diseases such as cancer, T2D, cardiovascular (CVD) and neurodegenerative disease. May their secret sit in the gut? 🎯 As we have been learning, the composition of the gut microbiota follows its #trajectories and changes progressively from the first 1000 days of life, across adulthood and ageing. As people age, gut dysbiosis and loss of beneficial commensals may appear, promoting premature death or high #frailty index. On the other side, higher microbial biodiversity and abundance of Methanobrevibacter, Oscillospira, Christensenellaceae, Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium are featured in centenarians. Despite significant interindividual variability and influence of diet, antibiotics, type of training or mobility, ethnicity, an enrichment in health-associated gut bacteria is always evident in centenarians. Interestingly, a recent study on Nature linked the human virome to healthy ageing, with the viral genome increasing the bacterial conversion of methionine to homocysteine and taurine to sulphide, through auxiliary metabolic genes (AMG). The final benefits for the host were increased mucosal integrity and higher resistance to pathobionts (https://lnkd.in/dy-Yz5t8). What is the truth? Gut microbiota has emerged as a novel target in various host physiological disorders including ageing. Studying the microbial populations characteristics of centenarians, their longevity adaptations, it will be possible to prevent any “pathological” ageing through gut microbiota-targeted strategies, fostering predictive scenarios in #geroscience. By integrating data from the host (including physiological, dietary, and lifestyle factors), microbiome composition, and metabolites into our mechanistic models of complex systems, biological ageing can be monitored, anticipated, and possibly reversed through corrective interventions as part of the "#intestinal #rejuvenation" strategy. Are you ready to embrace the challenge? 🚀 ✨ www.minutia.ai Minutia Twin

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Show me your epigenetics happy dance - the one when you find out 50,000 UK Biobank participant samples’ epigenome and genome will be mapped using Oxford Nanopore Technologies, to create the first at-scale comprehensive epigenome map. 👩‍🔬As a UKBB public dataset, scientists everywhere will stand to benefit from this world first knowledge base. 🤔Why do this? To map as much as 98% of the methylation markers across the genome (compared to as little as 3% based on microarrays)- nanopore is unique in its ability to sequence ‘canonical’ bases C, A, G, T plus methylation markers including 5mC, 5hmC,6mA and all context. Note: genomic as well as epigenetic data will be generated at once, providing eg structural variation and other data too. 🧬What’s Methylation? A type of epigenetics-chemical modification of DNA (cause eg smoking, chemicals, UV, unknown). Known to contribute to many diseases including cancer and neurological conditions, there is still extensive discovery ahead to truly understand these causes 💪 the incredible teams at UKBB have gathered half a million participants and a broad array of data types (info: https://lnkd.in/eaRVyU2c we’re proud to be bringing epigenetics! Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle : “Diseases like cancer and dementia have brought heartache to every family in the country. “By bringing government, the NHS, researchers and leading businesses together in partnership, we can transform our understanding of these conditions. “The progress they make will ultimately save lives, and keep families together for longer.” Health and Social Care Secretary The Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting MP said: “The NHS saved my life when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. I saw the best of our health service spring into action and offer me world-class treatment. “But moving forward, our 10 Year Health Plan will shift our focus from sickness to prevention to tackle the root causes of devastating diseases like cancer and dementia. “This project will help provide more groundbreaking treatments to ensure more patients like me get their lives back” Professor Naomi Allen Chief Scientist, UK Biobank, said: “Our lifestyle and environment can cause chemical changes to our DNA, which can contribute to disease by altering the ways genes tell the body which proteins to produce. By understanding these chemical changes, known as epigenetics, we can learn why some people fall ill and others don’t, even when they share the same genes. Right now, researchers only have small amounts of epigenetic data to study – this project will create a dataset unlike anything else in the world. It is orders of magnitude bigger, and because of the technology, the data will be much more detailed More from us: https://lnkd.in/efWr_q2k Mark Effingham Gordon Sanghera Tonya McSherry Rosalind Campion Tom Whitting Victoria Barrie

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Interesting take on the use of LLMs in emergency care as an add-on/surrogate for clinicians -> might not work that well yet... Amidst the initial hype around LLMs replacing clinicians, it's clear more development and refinement is needed as these studies prove LLMs have not yet shown superiority or parity with trained emergency care clinicians in a real world setting. In isolated focused setting like diagnosing Melanomas/skin-cancer via image analysis, superiority has been proven, but we have not yet seen superiority in wide range of symptoms, indications that require more than one modality of engagement, i.e. only images, only text, etc.

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A lot more interesting wonders of #nature are awaiting to be investigated. Newly Discovered #Microbe Turns #Carbon Into #Energy – and Sheds Light on Life’s Origins The microbe, a type of single-celled #life form known as an #archaeon, comes from an otherworldly #ecosystem called The #Cedars.  This #geological treasure is characterized by bizarre #mineral formations caused by certain underground rocks reacting with water. This process creates waters that are rich in #calcium, #hydrogen and #methane gas, but lacking in other ingredients typically necessary for life. #Life thrives there nonetheless. The microbe’s ability to transform CO2 into chemicals through a unique pathway holds promise for biofuel and manufacturing efficiency. Potentially mimicking early life mechanisms and paving the way for advancements in microbial #manufacturing and #biofuel production. The microorganism lives in deep #groundwater in the area and produces energy via a highly efficient pathway in which #carbondioxide is converted to an #organic molecule called #acetate.   Read More: https://lnkd.in/gUytmG99 #savesoil #sustainable #agriculture Amit Kharkwal Dhananjay Edakhe Dr. R. K. Jain Dr Kishore Paknikar Manohar Malani Vijay Dhole Shashi Bhooshan Sharma Prof. M.S. Reddy

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8 Game-Changing GPTs for Research ! ChatGPT has a treasure trove of custom GPTs. Here are some game-changers for researchers: ➊ 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨: Polish your documents effortlessly ➋ 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐏𝐓: Create stunning decks in minutes ➌ 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞: Access 287M+ papers at your fingertips ➍ 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐈: Your gateway to academic databases ➎ 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬: Visualize complex ideas with ease ➏ 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐏𝐓: Unlock new research frontiers ➐ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐬: Your academic paper sidekick ➑ 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐈: Crunch numbers like a pro Found other useful GPTs for research? Share your discoveries in the comments For SciSpace: Sign up now https://lnkd.in/dSs_aaD9 Use these codes to get special discounts: Indian users: IRFAN10 — offers 10% on annual plan IRFAN20 — offers 20% off monthly plan Other countries : IRF20 — offers 20% off monthly plan IRF40 — offers 40% on annual plan ----------------------------------------------------------- I'm Muhammad Irfan 🧬 Follow me and hit the 🔔 for more useful insights ! Repost, if you find this useful 🔁 -----------------------------------------------------------

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Happy to see that this piece with Zili H. is out at World Economic Forum. In this short perspective, we discussed several recent scientific progress by us and our collaborators. In short, we believe that the future of aging measurement should not be a single number -- the idea we are trying to deliver in our recent preprint on Ageome https://lnkd.in/gf6kPD8m.

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I am proud to announce the launch of the 100th project on AI in Biology at Biotecnika. The Question no longer is whether AI can be applied in Biology; the question is how and where it can be applied. Here is a List of Biological research Areas where Biotecnika Scientists are applying AI in Biology. 1. Genomics and Transcriptomics - Sequence analysis and annotation - Gene expression profiling - Identifying genetic variations and mutations 2. Proteomics - Protein structure prediction - Protein-protein interaction networks - Post-translational modifications 3. Systems Biology - Modeling biological systems and pathways - Integrative omics analysis - Cellular and molecular simulations 4. Drug Discovery and Development - Virtual screening and molecular docking - Predicting drug-target interactions - Optimizing drug formulations and delivery 5. Medical Imaging and Diagnostics - Image analysis for disease detection - Radiomics and radiogenomics - Pathology image analysis 6. Personalized Medicine - Predicting patient responses to treatments - Biomarker discovery - Tailoring therapies based on genetic profiles 7. Epidemiology and Public Health - Disease outbreak prediction - Health data analysis - Modeling the spread of infectious diseases 8. Agricultural Biology - Crop yield prediction - Plant disease detection - Genomic selection in breeding programs 9. Environmental Biology - Biodiversity monitoring - Ecosystem modeling - Climate change impact assessment 10. Neuroscience - Brain imaging analysis - Neural network simulations - Studying neurological disorders 11. Microbiology - Metagenomics and microbiome analysis - Pathogen identification - Antibiotic resistance prediction 12. Synthetic Biology - Designing synthetic gene circuits - Modeling synthetic organisms - Predicting synthetic gene expression 13. Evolutionary Biology - Phylogenetic analysis - Evolutionary pathway prediction - Studying evolutionary dynamics 14. Biophysics - Molecular dynamics simulations - Protein folding studies - Studying biomolecular interactions These areas represent a broad spectrum of applications where AI and machine learning techniques are revolutionizing biological research, leading to new discoveries and innovations. Want to Learn AI in Biology? Join us at https://btnk.org/ai-champ

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From Lab Coat to Blockchain: How Web3 Can Fight Antimicrobial Resistance As your friendly neighbourhood Medical Laboratory Scientist, I spend my days analyzing samples, searching for signs of infection and guiding treatment with the right antibiotics. But lately, a growing concern has been weighing on my mind: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). It's a silent pandemic, where bacteria evolve to resist our precious antibiotics, leaving us vulnerable to deadly infections. The root of the problem? Improper antibiotic use. We often self-medicate, take antibiotics for viral infections (where they are useless), or fail to complete the full course, all contributing to this alarming rise in resistance. Here's where Web3 comes in – a revolutionary technology with the potential to disrupt healthcare and combat AMR. Imagine a system where: Through blockchain-based rewards systems, patients can earn tokens for adhering to prescribed antibiotic regimens, completing courses, and avoiding unnecessary use. A decentralized ledger could track antibiotic prescriptions, dispensing records, and patient compliance, creating a comprehensive and auditable system to monitor usage patterns. Data from various healthcare providers, labs, and research institutions can be seamlessly shared and analyzed, enabling quicker identification of resistance trends and development of new antimicrobial solutions. Web3 platforms can provide interactive learning modules, engaging games, and personalized feedback to educate individuals on the dangers of antibiotic overuse and promote responsible consumption. By leveraging the power of decentralization, transparency, and incentivization, Web3 can empower patients, healthcare providers, and researchers to work together in combating antimicrobial resistance. It's time we move beyond traditional methods and embrace the potential of this revolutionary technology to safeguard our future health. Let's build a world where antibiotics remain effective, and infections can be treated effectively, for generations to come.

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