A recent study conducted by a team of scientists from Northeastern University demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence in the mass production of pluripotent stem cells. These cells can heal many conditions, such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, and age-related issues.

Researchers suggest an AI framework for the large-scale production of stem cells for regenerative medicine. Specific stem cells possess an inherent capacity to undergo cell division and differentiate into distinct specialized cells such as blood, bone, or muscle cells. Researchers say these pluripotent stem cells hold significant potential for cell therapies and regenerative medicine advancements.

The researchers assert that their groundbreaking modular architecture, Biological System-of-Systems, establishes the foundation for comprehending and forecasting prosperous cell cultivation.

Various categories of stem cells exist, such as embryonic stem cells discovered during the initial phases of embryo growth, adult stem cells capable of replacing impaired cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells created in a laboratory by modifying adult stem cells to mimic embryonic stem cells. 

Each cell contains a complex metabolic and gene network, ribonucleic acid, or RNA, which is required for most biological processes and proteins. This system behaves differently under different situations. For example, it influences a cell's nutrition intake and, as a result, the quality of cells produced.

To determine the most crucial conditions for cultivating iPSCs in a laboratory, the scientists created a model that can anticipate cell reaction to environmental changes and aid in regulating the cultivation process. The approach employs mechanical models based on prior knowledge of natural sciences and interpretable AI.

Scientists can use the model to determine the ideal cell culture settings, increase productivity, and ensure cell product quality. To facilitate the production of a vast quantity of goods, scientists employ suspension bioreactors, containers that maintain a biologically active setting, to cultivate more intricate three-dimensional iPSC clusters, also known as aggregates, resembling the growth of stem cells during pregnancy. Bioreactors create a regulated environment by controlling temperature, oxygen levels, nutrition availability, and agitation speed.

Within the bioreactor, cells experience accelerated growth and participate in three critical levels of interaction:

• Metabolic reactions within individual cells.
• The diffusion of vital nutrients and molecules among cell aggregates (referred to as cell-to-cell interaction).
• The interplay between these aggregates and the surrounding fluid environment.

Interpretive AI enables scientists to comprehend the underlying logic behind the predictions and decisions made by the model. In the future, with enhanced comprehension of intracellular processes and cell-to-cell communication, as well as increased availability of data from various studies and sources. 

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-05653-w

Source: https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/04/03/regenerative-medicine-stem-cell-manufacturing/

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