AURAK Collaborates With UC Davis On AI Study For Enhanced Brain Tumour Care

A pioneering study co-led by Dr. Rawad Hodeify from the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) alongside Dr. Orwa Aboud from the University of California, Davis, has embarked on a mission to enhance brain tumour care through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This research focuses on Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer that poses significant challenges for early detection and treatment.

Employing advanced AI tools, Dr. Hodeify's team aims to revolutionize the diagnosis and monitoring processes of Glioblastoma. Traditional methods, mainly reliant on brain imaging, often fail to detect the cancer at its nascent stage or might yield inaccurate results. By examining metabolites in the blood through mass spectrometry, the research identifies critical changes across various treatment stages, paving the way for a new, AI-assisted method of data analysis that promises to enhance tumor diagnosis and treatment evaluation.

Dr. Hodeify shared insights into the research, highlighting the role AI plays in elevating brain tumor diagnosis and treatment to a new level. The study, published in the special issue on Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Metabolism and Metabolomics in the journal, Metabolites, analyzed 105 plasma specimens from 36 glioblastoma patients. This groundbreaking work not only advances the general understanding of glioblastoma progression and treatment response but also showcases the potential of AI-driven metabolomic analysis in transforming brain cancer care.

Prof. Stephen Wilhite, AURAK's Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success / Provost, lauded Dr. Hodeify's research for its potential global impact on brain tumor treatment. He emphasized how the project aligns with AURAK's vision of excelling in research that addresses contemporary issues, including medical challenges.

The biotechnology program at AURAK, accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission (ANSAC) of ABET, spans a broad curriculum covering Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, and other key areas. This comprehensive four-year undergraduate program is designed to nurture future innovators, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to tackle today's problems.

Dr. Hodeify, an elected member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, is part of a prestigious network that includes Nobel Prize winners and members of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering. Sigma Xi represents the world's largest multidisciplinary research honor society, dedicated to recognizing scientific excellence and fostering a supportive community for researchers and engineers.

This collaborative effort between AURAK and the University of California, Davis represents a significant step forward in the fight against brain cancer. By unraveling the complexities of glioblastoma at a molecular level, the research offers new hope for targeted interventions, promising improved outcomes and better quality of life for patients. The full text of the study, titled 'Application of Machine Learning to Metabolomic Profile Characterization in Glioblastoma Patients Undergoing Concurrent Chemoradiation', is accessible on PubMed Central, offering valuable insights into the potential of AI in medical advancements.