By Jada Turner \/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An interactive database developed by students holds potential for identifying and treating rare diseases around the world, the head of Hood’s Bioscience Research and Education Center said this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Center executive director Rana Khan, who spoke at a “Hood Talks” event, said more than 7,000 rare diseases have been identified, and about 95% do not have approved treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khan says one of the biggest challenges to developing treatments is delayed diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe average time it takes to diagnose a rare disease, that\u2019s almost close to five years,\u201d Khan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A student project called \u201cOrphan Atlas\u201d created an interactive database designed to bring together information on rare diseases from multiple sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khan said the goal of the project is to help reduce delays in diagnosis and improve access to information for patients, caregivers, and researchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe thought, like, if we could create a repository or a centralized hub with all the information from these different sites, it would be kind of a one-stop shop for anybody who\u2019s looking for information,\u201d Khan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The platform includes data such as disease prevalence, symptoms, classifications, research publications, and treatment information. It was pulled from sources including the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khan said artificial intelligence tools are being used to help organize and summarize information in the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt really makes things really efficient,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat can take you several hours, it can do in a very, very short time, could be seconds or minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project was developed with contributions from students in biotechnology and artificial intelligence programs, reflecting interdisciplinary work at the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khan says that although each disease affects a small number of people, the total population impacted is large. She noted that about 30 million people in the United States and about 350 million people worldwide are living with a rare disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also said AI can help collect data in real time and assist with identifying patterns in symptoms and treatments, though she notes that accuracy remains important and requires human checking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khan said plans for the project include adding more data, such as clinical trials, patents, nonprofit organizations, and funding sources. The goal is to expand the system and eventually make it publicly available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khan said the Bioscience Research and Education Center aims to continue expanding student research opportunities in the bioscience and biotechnology fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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