Digital Twin Cell
Creating a digital replica of a living cell enabling researchers to perform virtual experiments and gain valuable insights into cell biology.
This project will first map a 3D cell in detail using the advanced imaging tools here at the Franklin, generating new data that will allow us to see and understand a living cell in more depth than ever before. This data will be used to train AI algorithms to identify cellular components to speed up generation of information to create the digital twin. Researchers could use the digital twin cell for virtual experiments, giving them a highly valuable and cost effective scientific tool to understand biology and health. The project will also give valuable insights into cell structure and biology.
Imaging work to build the digital twin will help researchers to more comprehensively understand the cellular architecture. When the digital twin is developed, it could provide a tool to run simulations where researchers change cellular conditions or molecules to see how the cell responds, enabling researchers to narrow down the work that needs to be done in wet laboratories. This will allow us to release vital datasets about cell structure to the wider research community. The tools we generate, including the digital twin and relevant AI techniques, will also be made available to researchers globally to further our understanding of health and biology.
At the Franklin we have the capability to image cells at extremely high resolutions, due to our ability to preserve cells for microscopy and imaging without damaging the internal structure of the cell. Collaborative challenges given to the global research community will drive reciprocal progress in AI and biological research, and the Franklin hopes to create new communities sharing and collaborating on this key project.
