Scientists have used artificial intelligence to illuminate the human body’s so-called dark genome and develop a potentially powerful new approach to cancer detection, monitoring and treatment.
Investigators at Johns Hopkins University in the US have revealed how previously little-studied repeats of genetic code sequences — known as “junk DNA” or dark matter — are associated with tumours.
The research, published in Science Translational Medicine on Wednesday, shows how AI and other advanced computing technologies are deepening understanding of diseases and how to deal with them.
“It’s like a grand unveiling of what’s behind the curtain,” said Victor Velculescu, co-author of the paper and an oncology professor at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel cancer centre, adding that it will “lead to new therapies, new diagnostics and new screening approaches for cancer”.
AI explores ‘dark genome’ to shed light on cancer growth https://t.co/4OVG0SmlY7
— Financial Times (@FT) March 13, 2024