Using AI in Shape Analysis for Biomedical Research
In the realm of scientific discovery, where chaos and randomness often dominate, finding patterns can seem impossible. However, Dr. David Nguyen, CEO of BrainScanology, sees things differently. During his time earning a PhD, Dr. Nguyen spent countless hours peering through microscopes, analyzing histology slides, and engaging in discussions with pathologists. His takeaway? Chaos might appear random, but it isn't; within the seeming disorder, there are recurring microstructures that are anything but random. This insight sparked the creation of BrainScanology and its innovative software, Shape Genie.
The Birth of BrainScanology: From Observation to Innovation
Dr. Nguyen's journey began with a simple yet profound observation: traditional shape metrics in biology—such as area, volume, and perimeter—often fail to capture the true complexity of biological forms. These conventional measurements can produce noisy data, leading to overfitted machine learning models that don't generalize well across different settings or populations.
Understanding this, Dr. Nguyen and his team developed Shape Genie, a revolutionary software that transcends traditional shape analysis by incorporating a unique algorithm. This algorithm overlays a grid system on biological shapes, transforming them into a series of XY coordinates that can be decomposed into simpler components using the Fourier transform. This method allows for the precise analysis of complex shapes and offers cleaner, more accurate data—a game-changer in biomedical research.
Solving Real-World Problems with Shape Genie
Shape Genie isn’t just a theoretical tool; it's a practical solution to pressing challenges in medicine and research. For instance, when a pathologist encounters a case with no discernible difference between control and experimental groups, despite significant genetic or phenotypic differences, Shape Genie can reveal subtle variations that traditional metrics miss. This capability has the potential to revolutionize diagnostics and lead to new discoveries.
One of the most compelling aspects of Shape Genie is its ability to measure "pure shape"—the shape of an object independent of its size. This feature is particularly useful in biology, where the size of cells and tissues can vary widely. By standardizing the size of objects before analysis, Shape Genie provides insights that are not influenced by the scale, making it an invaluable tool for analyzing archived data and improving the accuracy of machine learning models in medical science.
A Vision for the Future: Education, Applications, and Beyond
As BrainScanology grows, the company has diversified its offerings. In addition to Shape Genie, the company now provides educational workshops and courses on image analysis. These courses are designed to empower researchers with the skills they need to analyze their data effectively using Shape Genie and other popular tools. This educational initiative has quickly become one of BrainScanology's best-selling products, particularly among students who are eager to gain practical skills for their careers.
Dr. Nguyen’s personal experience with his father’s dementia diagnosis also inspired the development of a third product: an app that transforms the traditional clock-drawing test into an objective screening tool for cognitive decline. This app is designed to be accessible and affordable, with a freemium model that ensures widespread use, particularly in underserved communities.
Transforming Chaos into Clarity
BrainScanology's journey from a simple observation to a thriving company is a testament to the power of innovative thinking in science. By redefining how we analyze biological shapes, Dr. Nguyen and his team are not only solving existing problems but also paving the way for future discoveries. As BrainScanology continues to evolve, its impact on biomedical research, education, and diagnostics is poised to grow, turning chaos into clarity and advancing our understanding of the biological world.
About Dr. David Nguyen
David H. Nguyen, PhD. Dr. Nguyen is a computational biologist who invented the LCPC Transform, an algorithm that measures shape in ways not possible with area, volume, and signal intensity. He obtained his B.A. (Molecular & Cellular Biology) and Ph.D. (Endocrinology) from University of California, Berkeley. Following this, he was an Affiliate Scientist in the Division of Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and then a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Radiology at Stanford University.
