In 2004, Bill Gates promised that spam would be destroyed in 2 years
Microsoft unites biologists and programmers to fight cancer
Anatoly Alizar, Geektimes
Under the influence of radiation, chemicals (cigarette smoke, etc.), mutation of genes regulating cell growth and division occurs. If you do not notice the mutation at an early stage and do not destroy it, then mutant cells will continue to divide and accumulate mutations, up to the formation of a cancerous tumor from highly mutated cells that do not have a mechanism for limiting division (cancer cells)
Scientists from Microsoft have set a serious task to solve one of the main problems of humanity — to defeat cancer. For example, in June of this year they published a scientific paper in the Journal of Oncology Practice, in which they showed a method for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by search queries. In the early stages, many forms of cancer are successfully treatable. According to the researchers, it is possible to create an "inexpensive passive surveillance system" for users that will detect pancreatic cancer and, in the future, other dangerous forms of cancer. The system of tracking and collecting personal data can work, for example, at the operating system level.
Now Microsoft has moved on. This summer, the company organized the first research laboratory, where it gathered a team of the best biologists, programmers and engineers. The task of the laboratory is to apply computer science methods to solve the problem of cancer.
"In fact, biology and computer science have a deep connection. In principle, these systems work according to similar fundamental principles," says Chris Bishop, director of the laboratory in the research division of Microsoft Research.
Researchers believe that cancer should be perceived as a bug in a computer system, and cancer cells can be reprogrammed and returned to their original healthy state.
For example, Microsoft is developing a DNA construct that can "live" inside cells and track failures at the cellular level. If there are signs of a mutation that turns a healthy cell into a cancerous one, these small biocomputers initiate a "reboot" process that returns the cell to its original state. Microsoft biolab programmers have already developed a model for the Bio Model Analyser program, which emulates the behavior of a healthy cell. It can be compared with the behavior of a cell after a mutation in order to develop a correction program that will later be incorporated into an intracellular DNA biorobot.
This is just one of the studies that are being conducted in the new Microsoft Research biolab. For example, Microsoft has also developed software that outlines the boundaries of a cancerous tumor in images obtained after an X-ray examination within a few seconds. Previously, radiologists had to do this painstaking work manually. The program compares pixel-by-pixel images taken at different times and shows exactly how much the tumor has shrunk or grown. 3D scans of tumors from the program can even be printed on a 3D printer so that surgeons can practice before performing a complex operation.
The team of biologists and programmers of Microsoft is assembled in the bioinformatics department of the Biological Computing Group, formed in 2007. Andrew Philips has been appointed head of the department. He suggests that "it will technically be possible in 5-10 years to create a smart molecular system that can detect cancer [at an early stage of the disease]."
The scientist's estimates should be treated with a certain degree of caution. As aptly noted Randall Munro, "a technology that is 20 years away will forever remain a technology that is 20 years away."
At first glance, it seems strange that a software developer is interested in medical research. But this makes some sense, because medicine and computer science have long been related disciplines. Suffice it to recall that the IBM Watson neural network has learned to diagnose some diseases better than diagnostic doctors. The neural network from IBM works within the framework of the IBM Watson for Oncology project. It is enough to look at developments in the field of wearable electronics, including implants, trackers and various sensors for constant monitoring of health and vital signs.
Scientists believe that in the future, "smart" devices will constantly monitor the human condition, up to the cellular level, and promptly identify potential problems. Such sensors will compare the parameters of the body's work with a reference template. If the body deviated from the template indicators, it should be studied and normalized. At first, non-invasive sensors can monitor a person's physical activity, the quality and duration of sleep, and food consumption. They will collect these statistics for analysis.
Experts are quite optimistic about the prospects for the use of computational methods for the treatment of cancer. Early diagnosis is the key to everything. "If we learn how to control and regulate cancer, then it will become the same as a normal chronic disease, and then the problem is solved," says Dr. Jasmin Fisher from the University of Cambridge. She believes that some cancers can be eliminated in 5-10 years.
Microsoft's desire to join the fight against cancer is welcome. It's a little strange that the company compares the disease with a bug in the software — and expects to eliminate it. After all, 35 years of Microsoft's history have shown that the company is not very good at dealing with bugs.
By the way, about the promise to destroy cancer in 5-10 years. In 2004, Bill Gates personally declared that spam would be destroyed in two years.
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22.09.2016