Microsoft Research Podcast How AI will accelerate biomedical research and discovery
Jul 10, 2025
Daphne Koller, CEO of InCitro, Noubar Afeyan, founder of Flagship Pioneering, and Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, explore the revolutionary impact of AI in biomedical research. They discuss AI's role in accelerating drug target identification and transforming biotech R&D. Exciting advancements include a promising ALS drug target and the vision of creating a virtual cell within a decade. The trio emphasizes AI's potential in personalized medicine and the significance of embracing skepticism in innovation.
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Daphne Koller's AI-Biotech Journey
- Daphne Koller transitioned from pioneering machine learning research to leading biotech driven by an early fascination with applying AI to biology.
- Her first biomedical work involved epidemiological models for tuberculosis, foreshadowing later large-scale modeling like COVID.
AI Revolutionizes Drug Target Selection
- Machine learning transforms target selection in drug discovery by integrating massive complex biological and clinical data relationships.
- It surpasses human cognitive limits by analyzing hundreds of variables to increase confidence in selecting impactful therapeutic targets.
AI's Biggest Promise: Understanding Biology
- The largest impact of AI in biomedicine lies in understanding human biology deeply to inform target selection and precision medicine.
- Integrating multi-modal human and cellular data using AI will refine disease definitions and the prescription of the right drug to the right patient.
