AI in medicine: New collaborations being developed between LSMU and the Swiss University of Bern

Artificial intelligence – the fastest growing and a technology field with the most potential – is becoming an integral part of medicine and is already changing the methodologies and effectiveness of disease prevention, diagnosis, individualised treatment and rehabilitation.

The goals of the development of artificial intelligence in medicine led scientists of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) to visit the University of Bern, which founded the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (CAIM) four years ago.

The LSMU delegation was composed of Prof. Habil. Dr Vaiva Lesauskaitė (LSMU Vice-Rector for Science), Prof. Dr. Aušra Saudargienė (LSMU Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Health Psychology of the Faculty of Public Health), Prof. Dr. Tomas Lapinskas (LSMU Kaunas Klinikos Director for Public Health, Science and Studies), Prof. Dr. Renata Paukštaitienė (Head of the LSMU Department of Physics, Mathematics and Biophysics, Head of the Centre for Scientific Analysis of Health Data), Evaldas Bačiulis (LSMU Information Technology Centre, Head of the IT Department of LSMU Kaunas Hospital).

The visit was organised by the member of LSMU International Advisory Council on Strategic Development of Research and Innovation Prof. Dr. Walter Senn (Deputy Director of the Institute of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern, Head of the Computational Neuroscience Group, Member of the Scientific Committee of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence for Medicine of  the University of Bern, the Principal Researcher of  EBRAINS 2.0 (European Brain Research Infrastructure, ebrains.eu) project.

LSMU scientists visited the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern, the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine of the University of Bern, the Insel Data Science Center (IDSC) of the University of Bern and the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering of the University of Bern.

The LSMU delegation met with Prof. Dr Andrew Chan (Vice-Rector for International and Academic Careers at the University of Bern). Opportunities for collaboration in both study and research fields between LSMU and the University of Bern were addressed at the discussion. A memorandum of collaboration was created and agreed upon for this objective.

Prof. Dr. Raphael Sznitman (Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine at the University of Bern), Prof. Dr. Aristomenis Exadakomos (Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern), Prof. Dr Stavroula Mougiakakou (Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine at the University of Bern) shared experience of applying artificial intelligence in medicine, activities and achievements of the Center.

The Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine was founded in 2021 by the University of Bern and the University Hospital of Bern – Inselspital. The Center prepares experts for the Master’s programme Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, conducts cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, creates artificial intelligence algorithms for clinical solutions, fosters innovation and collaboration between the University and businesses, and plans international scientific and educational events. Third-year medical students are also introduced to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence in medicine.

Andreas von Ballmoos (Director of the Insel Data Science Center at the University of Bern Hospital) and Benjamin Ellenberger (Deputy Director of the same Centre) presented the structure and activities of the Insel Data Science Center at the University of Bern Hospital, emerging challenges in the areas of clinical data sharing and analysis, achievements and future plans.

Prof. Dr. Dominik Obrist (Professor for Cardiovascular Engineering, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern) discussed the research being done on the creation and enhancement of artificial heart valves, as well as the improvement of their biomechanical characteristics and use in treating certain patients.

Through the organisation of collaborative international scientific events and exchange programmes between LSMU and the University of Bern, the visit creates new prospects for collaborative research and innovation in the domains of artificial intelligence and medicine.

The LSMU scientists thank Prof. Dr. Walter Senn for organising the visit, welcoming reception and continuous support in developing and strengthening the scientific partnership between the University of Bern and the LSMU.