Week 10: Tech Models of Research and Software Development Flashcards
What are 3 different technology-enabled alternatives to using animal models in research?
- computational medicine
- 3D organoids
- organ-on-a-chip
What is computational medicine?
integration of computer science, mathematics, and biology to simulate human physiology
- predict disease outcomes to improve patient care
What are the advantages of computational medicine? (3)
- rapid testing of hypotheses without physical experiments
- enables precision medicine by tailoring treatments to individuals
- reduces costs and time compared to traditional lab work
What are the disadvantages of computational medicine? (3)
- dependence on large, high-quality datasets
- ethical and legal issues around patient data privacy
- limitations in modelling highly complex, multi-scale biological interactions
How does computational medicine work?
uses data sources
- genomic data
- clinical data
- imaging data
- environmental and behavioural data
data integration
- combines datasets to create holistic models of human biology
- uses ML and AI
- mathematical modelling simulates biological systems
disease modelling
- predicts disease progression and outcomes
- simulate biological processes
- study population dynamics or personalized responses
decision support systems
- automated interpretation of medical imaging, lab results, and genetic tests
- forecasts patient outcomes, hospital readmission risks, or disease outbreaks
What are 3D organoids?
miniature, simplified versions of organs grown from human cells
- applications in cancer, cell and gene therapy, immunology, infectious disease, microbiome, neuroscience
What are the advantages of 3D organoids? (3)
- organoids from patient cells reflect individual variability, making them useful for personalized medicine
- study complex diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders
- more accurate study of organ development and disease modelling
What are the disadvantages of 3D organoids? (3)
- limited size and lifespan of organoids compared to full organs
- variability in growth and development between batches
- high level of expertise required for culture and maintenance
How does 3D organoid technology work?
cell source:
- derived from embryonic stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, adult stem cells
growth:
- use of specific growth factors and signaling molecules
- cells self-organize into 3D structures resembling organs
culture:
- grown in extracellular matrix gels to provide structural support
- bioreactors used to supply nutrients and maintain optimal conditions
What is an organ-on-a-chip?
mimic organ and membrane surrounding it
- wide range of applications
What are the advantages of organ-on-a-chip? (3)
- more accurate, realistic, and relevant models for humans
- reduces reliance on animals models for toxicity testing
- real-time observation of biological processes
What are the disadvantages of organ-on-a-chip? (4)
- mimicking a physiologically similar environment and finding suitable blood replacement is difficult
- high costs
- complexity increases when integrating multiple organ systems (ie. body-on-a-chip)
- standardization and scaling for industrial use are still evolving
How does organ-on-a-chip technology work?
structure:
- made of transparent polymers
- 2 parallel microfluidic channels, separated by porous membrane
microenvironment:
- cell seeds in channels
- mechanical forces applied
- channels configured to flow media, blood, or air
real-time monitoring:
- sensors integrated for monitoring pH, oxygen, etc.
- imaging techniques track cellular behaviours
What are the 6 phases of the software development life cycle?
- analysis – product owner, project manager, business analyst, CTO
- design – system architect, UX/UI designer
- development – front-end developer, back-end developer
- testing – solutions architect, QA engineer, tester, devOps
- deployment – data administrator, devOps
- maintenance – users, testers, support managers
What is the waterfall process of software development?
linear approach
- each phase must be complete before moving on, little or no overlap between phases
- project scope and requirements are typically defined upfront and do not change much throughout project
- inflexible, can lead to delays if requirements change or issues are discovered later
- good for large projects with specific requirements/outcomes
What is the agile process of software development?
iterative and flexible approach
- development is broken down into sprints/iterations (104 weeks)
- each sprint focuses on delivering working software increment that can be tested and evaluated stakeholders
- requirements and priorities are flexible and can change from sprint to spring based on feedback from stakeholders
- emphasizes collaboration, communication, and continuous imporvmeent between stakeholders and developers, and often requires more involvement from customer or end-users
- emphasis on delivering working software quickly and incrementally, with less emphasis on upfront planning and documentation
- good for projects with changing or evolving requirements, or where quick feedback and responsiveness are critical
What is an application programming interface (API)?
set of rules and protocols that allows/specifies how different software programs to talk to each other
What do APIs enable? (2)
- enables different software systems to interact with each other and share data, which can lead to improved collaboration, efficiency, and innovation in healthcare – ie. with API, hospital EHR system for managing patient records and different clinic EHR system can be configured to share patient data such as medical history, test results, and treatment plans (would enable healthcare providers at hospital and clinic to access and update same patient records, leading to better coordination of care and improved patient outcomes)
- can enable third-party developers to build new applications that work with EHR systems – ie. developer could use EHR’s API to build mobile app that allows patients to securely access their own medical records or receive reminders about upcoming appointments or medications
What are 4 reasons why APIs are important?
- they are everywhere
- allows you to consume and share information amongst disparate systems
- can provide services outside of your technical/knowledge area (ChatGPT)
- might need to implement one to meet a certification standard
APIs
What is HL7 (Health Level Seven International)?
set of standards, formats, and definitions for exchanging and developing EHRs
APIs
What is Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) API?
modern standard for exchanging healthcare information electronically
APIs
What is SMART on FHIR API?
enables third-party developers to create web-based healthcare applications that can be integrated with EHR systems
