EXPLAIN HOW AI ALGORITHMS ANALYSE LARGE DATASETS,
PREDICT CELLULAR BEHAVIOUR, AND ASSIST IN DRUG
DEVELOPMENT
The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in cell biology has revolutionised the way
scientists analyse big biological data, predict cellular functions, and accelerate drug
discovery. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms process vast amounts
of genomic, proteomic, and image data, recognising patterns that would be extremely
challenging for humans to recognise. AI-driven models enhance our understanding of cell
mechanisms, predict disease mechanisms, and facilitates the development of novel
therapeutics. Cell biology experiments generate gigantic datasets from high-throughput
sequencing, microscopy images, and technologies. Traditional data analysis methods are
bottlenecked by the scale and complexity of these datasets. AI algorithms, particularly deep
neural networks, extract meaningful information by identifying correlations and trends. For
instance, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-sequence) generates gigantic quantities of
transcriptomic data, tracking gene expression at the single-cell level. AI-powered clustering
algorithms, such as t-SNE (t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding) and UMAP
(uniform manifold approximation and projection), cluster cells based on similarities in gene
expression, allowing scientists to identify new cell types and predict cell differentiation. In
image analysis, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have transformed microscopy-based
research. AI-driven image recognition programs, such as DeepCell and CellProfiler, segment
and classify cells in high-resolution images automatically, enabling the detection of cell
morphology change, mitosis event, and intracellular dynamics at an increased speed. The
application of these tools significantly reduces the manual labor required for image
annotation and improves the efficiency of cellular phenotype identification. AI algorithms are
increasingly being utilised for the prediction of cellular responses to environmental changes,
drug treatment, and gene editing. By training on large datasets, machine learning algorithms
can model intricate biological processes, such as gene regulatory networks and protein
interactions.
One high-profile example is DeepMind's AlphaFold. AlphaFold uses deep learning to predict
protein structures with great precision, solving one of the biggest problems in molecular
biology. Protein structures are relevant to know how proteins interact within cells and how
mutations lead to disease. AlphaFold's impact extends to drug discovery, structural biology,
and synthetic biology by being able to design proteins with precise functions exactly. Further,
AI has been instrumental in cell fate prediction. By analysing lineage tracing data, AI
algorithms predict stem cell differentiation into specialised cell types. This has important
implications for regenerative medicine, as it enables researchers to guide cell differentiation
for tissue engineering and stem cell therapies. AI is revolutionising drug discovery by
accelerating target identification, optimising drug design, and predicting drug response at the
cellular level. Traditional drug discovery is time-consuming and costly, often taking over a
decade to bring even one single drug to market. AI-driven approaches drastically reduce the
timeframe by efficiently analysing molecular interactions and screening vast chemical
libraries.
One such example is BenevolentAI, which is applying AI to identify novel drug targets for
diseases including Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). By analysing
biomedical literature, genetic data, and clinical trial results, AI algorithms identify drug-
repurposing opportunities that were not apparent before. BenevolentAI also predicted as a
treatment for COVID-19 by anticipating that it would be capable of inhibiting viral entry.
Another advance is INSILICO Medicine's AI-based drug discovery platform, which
essentially designed a novel drug candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The AI
software screened millions of compounds and came up with an optimised drug structure in
less than 18 months—a feat that typically takes years. In oncology, AI is being used to predict
tumour cell responses to therapy. IBM Watson for Oncology, for instance, matches patient
data and genomic profiles to recommend personalised treatment plans. AI algorithms learned
from large cancer datasets predict how specific mutations impact drug resistance, helping
oncologists select the most effective treatments. AI is also a vital tool in cell biology,
transforming how researchers analyse large datasets, predict cellular behaviour, and develop
new therapies. From single-cell sequencing analysis to AI-driven protein structure prediction,
machine learning models provide unprecedented insights into biological systems. The impact
of AI extends to drug discovery, where it accelerates target identification and drug design,
ultimately improving patient outcomes. As AI continues to evolve, its integration with
biotechnology and computational biology will drive further breakthroughs, paving the way
for precision medicine and advanced cellular therapies.
REFERENCING
• Artemov, A., Igashov, I., Korzinkin, M., & Borisov, N. (2021). Generative models for
predicting cellular response.
• Frontiers in Genetics, 12, 654789. Eraslan, G., Avsec, Z., Gagneur, J., & Theis, F. J. (2019).
Deep learning: New computational modelling techniques for genomics. Nature Reviews
Genetics, 20(7), 389-403.
• Angermueller, C., Pärnamaa, T., Parts, L., & Stegle, O. (2016). Deep learning for
computational biology. Molecular Systems Biology, 12(7), 878.
