From an algorithm to drug discovery; Using deep learning to understand biological phenotypes | Oren Kraus PhD, University of Toronto

Speaker: Dr. Oren Kraus
Institution: University of Toronto
Abstract: Phenomic AI is developing a platform to accelerate drug discovery programs based on high-content imaging-based screens. Automated microscopy screens are used heavily in drug discovery to explore the effects of 100,000s of drug treatments on cellular models of disease. Their deep-learning platform reduces the time taken to analyze a typical screen from weeks down to hours. Moreover, their platform analyzes raw imaging data; this means that complex patterns and biological samples can be handled just as effectively as simple 2D cultures. In addition to working with leading partners in the life science industry, Phenomic AI is using their platform to develop the next wave of therapeutic antibodies against cancer and fibrosis. https://phenomic.ai/
Biography: Oren Kraus co-founded Phenomic AI after completing his PhD in Dr. Brendan Frey’s lab at the University of Toronto. Together with collaborators at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (CCBR), Oren was one of the first to publish the application of deep learning to microscopy data. After working at Apple and Borealis AI, Oren founded Phenomic AI with the goal of accelerating the interpretation of phenotypes in bio-medical images with machine learning for applications in pharmaceutical research and cellular diagnostics. He holds a BASc and MASc in mechanical and biomedical engineering and a PhD in computer engineering from the University of Toronto.