Using artificial intelligence, researchers have discovered how to screen for genetic mutations in cancerous brain tumors in under 90 seconds — and possibly streamline the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas, a study suggests.

A team of neurosurgeons and engineers at Michigan Medicine, in collaboration with investigators from New York University, University of California, San Francisco and others, developed an AI-based diagnostic screening system called DeepGlioma that uses rapid imaging to analyze tumor specimens taken during an operation and detect genetic mutations more rapidly.

Published in Cell Genomics, “The Michigan Genomics Initiative: A biobank linking genotypes and electronic clinical records in Michigan Medicine patients” illustrates that opportunistic biobank sampling within single health systems provides a unique and complementary resource for exploring the genetics of complex diseases.

Precision Health members including Pedro Lowenstein, Maureen Sartor, and Mats Ljungman were part of a research team at Rogel Cancer Center that uncovered a gene that plays a critical role in radiation resistance. When they knocked down the gene, glioma cells became responsive to radiation treatment. The findings are published in Clinical Cancer Research.

Jenna Wiens, PhD, was selected as a 2023 Sarah Goddard Power Award recipient. The award recognizes a U-M faculty member who demonstrates a commitment to the betterment of women and a clear record of success and significant achievement in research, scholarship, leadership, and mentoring women.

Performers from the musical theater program at U-M worked in a joint venture with Precision Health and Michigan Medicine to raise awareness about addiction issues through a unique performance.

Michigan Daily story on MY PART. Janet Houghtby and Brahmajee Nallamothu quoted.

(Min-Lee Yang, Michael Mathis, Matthew Zawistowski, Chad M. Brummett, Sebastian Zoellner, Xiang Zhou, Santhi K. Ganesh)