Bio-wise and otherwise

GeneSim- a step into knowledge-based IT

Want to see how intelligent search tools are becoming on the healthcare front?

Here's a peep into the world of GeneSim, a novel, futuristic tool for mining medical data.

Currently, there are several public databases for molecular medicine all over the world which help doctors mine information on crucial genes linked with diseases such as cancer. For example, ArrayExpress and PubMed portals maintain at least forty databases with various search and service functions.

Still, if a doctor wants to find out more specific insights into a particular patient's condition, it would be hard to do so from among the humongous amount of data out there. It would be like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack.

However, GeneSim is a new knowledge portal on the internet which would serve as a ready reckoner in molecular medicine. GeneSim will host information on a patient's case history, a description of his/her tumor, and results. GeneSim networks with a host of other medical databases on the internet and this helps doctors get critical information on a patient's aberrant gene profile which causes disease. It also helps them in their search for the right drug regime and therapy for a patient.

The GeneSim platform interfaces with syngo, Siemens' software for the operation of imaging processes such as MR and CT with a link to a PAC system.

GeneSim performs several tasks such as collecting knowledge, creating links between data with the help of mathematical processes and also determining which genes and proteins are directly connected with a disease. GeneSim can also compare gene profiles between individuals to determine which genes differ most in terms of gene activity. Through statistical analysis and image display, a doctor is able to compare gene activities on the screen at the click of a button. Also, if the user clicks on a specific gene, the tool retrieves all correlated information on this specific gene from databases all over the world.

The program is self-learning and remembers in which databases relevant information can be found. It is not merely a search tool but can also assess the information it retrieves. It can match data retrieved with the patient's profile (age, sex, etc) and throw up relevant and meaningful data.

GeneSim is a knowledge management tool catering to the needs of personalized medicine. A tool which can help a doctor understand the patient's problem and plan a drug regime going forward.

So now we're talking intelligent diagnosis.

With the machine.

Hopefully, sound intuitive diagnosis will still have its grand old place.

With the doc.

Posted at 08:27AM Jul 02, 2007 by Manju in Sun  |  Comments[0]