PHM5015 – Technological Innovation in Precision Medicine
Course Overview
This course will introduce the engineering and technological innovations enabling Precision Medicine. Precision medicine or personalized medicine takes into account individual differences in a patients’ genes, environment, and lifestyle to tailor medical interventions and treatment strategies specific to each patient rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. Technology plays a vital role in advancing precision medicine by not only enabling the collection, analysis, and interpretation of vast amounts of medical and biological data, but also ensuring we deliver a more accessible, efficient, and impactful solution to improve patient outcomes. Successful realization of these solutions often require interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, clinicians, engineers, data scientists and other healthcare stakeholders. Students will explore how advances in areas such as microfluidics, advanced optics, biosensors, electrochemical detection, 3-D printing, digital health technologies, and data-driven platforms enable the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of complex biomedical data at scale. These technologies form the backbone of modern OMICs systems, liquid biopsies, digital diagnostics, and next-generation therapeutic development pipelines. A series of guest speakers from biomedical industry will discuss their innovative precision medicine solutions, including the challenges faced to bring them to market and patients.
Learning Outcomes
Overall learning outcome include appreciation and understanding of key innovative technologies in precision medicine with real-world examples.
- Understand the latest technologies driving innovations in precision medicine, including various -omics technologies, digital devices, wearables and how they contribute to personalized healthcare.
- Learn examples of successful implementations in the field and challenges faced in bringing new innovations to market.
- Critical thinking skills to evaluate the strengths and limitations of innovative precision medicine technologies from an engineering and systems perspective.
- Apply machine learning techniques to physiological datasets to identify and interpret potential digital biomarkers for precision medicine.
- Critically appraise the innovation landscape in precision medicine, with emphasis on engineering solutions, platform technologies, and commercialization strategies through engagement with leading experts in the field.
Course Outline
Theme 1: Innovative Diagnostics Technologies.
This theme introduces innovative diagnostics technologies that are changing the dynamic landscape of precision medicine. Rather than exploring biological mechanisms, the emphasis is on the tools and systems that generate and process diagnostic data. These pioneering tools are revolutionizing the way healthcare providers diagnose and tailor treatments for individual patients. They harness the power of advanced molecular and genetic analyses to provide unprecedented insights into an individual’s unique biological makeup. Whether through genomic sequencing, liquid biopsies, advanced imaging modalities, or wearable devices, these technologies empower healthcare professionals to obtain a holistic understanding of a patient’s condition, paving the way for targeted and personalized interventions. The integration of artificial intelligence further enhances the diagnostic process, enabling rapid data analysis and interpretation. As these technologies continue to evolve, they hold the promise of transforming the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to medicine into a bespoke and targeted strategy and improving overall health outcomes.
Theme 2: Innovative Therapeutics Technologies.
This theme takes us into the dynamic realm of engineering and manufacturing technologies driving innovative therapeutic technologies for precision medicine – reshaping the landscape of treatment strategies with groundbreaking advancements. From the evolution of immunotherapy to innovations like CAR-T cell therapy, CRISPR-Cas9 editing and 3-D printing, precision medicine is pushing the boundaries of therapeutic possibilities, offering new hope for patients with previously challenging conditions. This transformative approach marks a paradigm shift in healthcare, where the convergence of technology and medicine is unlocking unprecedented opportunities for improved patient outcomes and a more targeted, resilient healthcare system.