Currently working as a VP for computational biology at Omnicure in France, seasoned Portuguese expat Rita Santos — wth experiences across different continents — shares her tools and tricks for success.

Rita Santos

In this Tech Barometer podcast segment, Debojyoti “Debo” Dutta, vice president of engineering, AI at Nutanix shares his passion for computational biology and how AI will dramatically change enterprises.

Find more enterprise cloud news, features stories and profiles at The Forecast:
http://www.theforecastbynutanix.com/

Transcript:
https://media24.connectedsocialmedia.com/nutanix/03/20676/Debo_Dutta_Speeding_New_Medicines_AI_Computational_Biology.pdf

Artificial Intelligence

Debo Dutta Speeding New Medicines with AI and Computational Biology

Consider this thought-provoking statement: “Life is information that maintains itself.” This argument, proposed by Professor Christoph Adami in his book “The Evolution of Biological Information: How Evolution Creates Complexity, from Viruses to Brains” places information at the heart of biological systems. Adami's innovative perspective offers fresh insights into phenomena such as the evolution of drug resistance in viruses, the development of cellular communication, and the emergence of intelligence. By framing information as the unifying principle of biology, this approach provides a systematic way to explore the origin of life—both on Earth and beyond. In this episode of Bridging the Gaps I speak with Professor Christoph Adami. 

Christoph Adami is professor of microbiology and molecular genetics & physics as well as astronomy at Michigan State University. A pioneer in the application of methods from information theory to the study of evolution, he designed the Avida system that launched the use of digital life as a tool for investigating basic questions in evolutionary biology. He has received several awards, including the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Artificial Life.

We begin with an in-depth exploration of Shannon’s information theory, focusing particularly on the concept of entropy. This foundation sets the stage for a discussion on how biological systems store and preserve information. We delve into the information content of genes and proteins, highlighting a key idea from the book: “Living organisms know some very important facts about the world they inhabit and thrive in.” 

Next, we examine the concept of genetic information and its storage within DNA molecules and genomes. This includes a detailed look at the nature of this information and the latest understanding of the data encoded within the genome. 

We then turn to the core mechanisms—or laws—of evolution: inheritance, variation, and selection, framing these processes as the measurement, processing, and transmission of information. To describe evolution through the lens of information theory, Adami incorporates the concept of Maxwell’s demon, a thought experiment that challenges the second law of thermodynamics. We discuss this thought experiment in detail and its application to understanding the evolution of biological information.

Finally, we explore the profound question of the origin of life, accompanied by an engaging discussion on viruses. Before finishing this discussion, we also touch upon the nature and challenges of multidisciplinary research. Overall, this has been an enlightening and highly informative journey into the intersection of biology and information theory. 

Complement this discussion with ““The Network of Life: A New View of Evolution” with Professor David Mindell” available at:  
https://www.bridgingthegaps.ie/2024/10/the-network-of-life-a-new-view-of-evolution-with-professor-david-mindell/
And then listen to  ““Zero to Birth: How the Human Brain Is Built” with Professor William Harris” available at: 
https://www.bridgingthegaps.ie/2022/10/zero-to-birth-how-the-human-brain-is-built-with-professor-william-harris/

“The Evolution of Biological Information” with Professor Christoph Adami

In this episode, we examine how machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming essential tools for improving image analysis of 3D samples. These technologies are reshaping research workflows by making analysis faster and more insightful.

We speak with Professor Jens Christian Schwamborn, Professor of Cellular and Developmental Biology at the University of Luxembourg, and Professor Christophe Deben, Professor of Tumour Biology and Organoids at the University of Antwerp. They share their perspectives on the current challenges in 3D sample analysis and how AI is helping to solve them - reducing processing time and revealing previously inaccessible information.

We'll look at the key reasons behind AI’s growing use in 3D image analysis, identify the limitations of existing imaging technologies, and explore how AI is evolving to handle increasingly complex data. We'll also discuss how the availability of large datasets is accelerating this shift and what breakthroughs AI could enable in the near future.

Machine Learning and AI in Enhancing Image Analysis of 3D Samples

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Explore the cutting edge of enterprise cloud computing. Tech Barometer is the Podcast affiliate of The Forecast by Nutanix, which covers people and tech trends driving digital transformation. Business Ieaders, engineers and industry experts share insights and anecdotes about the quest to modernize IT.

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‘Success Across Boundaries’ gets up close and personal with expats who have successfully worked up the ladder while navigating foreign countries and systems. Their success stories serve as the learning for those who aspire to become global citizens.

New tracks tagged #computational biology