{"id":9988,"date":"2024-12-03T10:59:04","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T09:59:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/lcsb-en\/?post_type=news&p=9988"},"modified":"2024-12-03T10:59:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T09:59:05","slug":"luxembourg-ai-driven-healthcare-parkinsons","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/lcsb-en\/news\/luxembourg-ai-driven-healthcare-parkinsons\/","title":{"rendered":"Luxembourg joins European doctoral training for AI-driven healthcare for Parkinson\u2019s disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A new European Doctoral training unit (DTU) focused on AI-driven healthcare has been launched on 22 November 2024, aiming to train the next generation of leaders in precision medicine. This initiative called AIPD<\/a>, led by Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing (SCAI) in Bonn, Germany and funded by a prestigious Marie Sk\u0142odowska-Curie Actions grant from the European Union, brings together prominent institutions from across Europe, with Luxembourg playing a major role. Principal investigators of the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) and the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) will be involved in the supervision of 8 of the 14 PhD positions, with the goal to contribute significantly to the development of novel AI strategies for healthcare, particularly in the context of Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n

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AIPD kick-off meeting on 22 November<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n Advancing precision medicine through AI<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The DTU\u2019s focus on Parkinson\u2019s disease reflects the work accomplished in the last decade within the National Centre for Excellence in Research on Parkinson\u2019s disease (NCER-PD)<\/a> supported by the FNR PEARL Program Digital Medicine in Luxembourg. By developing and applying advanced AI methods for this rapidly growing neurological disorder, the DTU aims to create precise tools to predict disease progression and offer personalised treatment support. Through their research, students learn how to pave the way for more effective and individualised patient care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nProviding an interdisciplinary curriculum<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the research, the DTU\u2019s curriculum emphasizes the importance of socioeconomic, ethical, and legal considerations in AI-driven healthcare. It fosters direct exchange with patients and healthcare professionals to facilitate integration of AI solutions into healthcare services. Jointly with industry partners, the students will be trained in data security and privacy aspects (General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, European Health Data Space, Data Governance Act), and new regulatory procedures (Medical Device regulation \u2013 software as a medical device, Health Technology Assessment Regulation Act) \u2013 all in the light of the forthcoming European AI Act. Hence, the DTU aims to equip them with the knowledge to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of medical data science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nInterdisciplinary collaboration across Europe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The DTU integrates expertise from leading research institutions, as well as public and private healthcare service providers across Europe. In addition to research at their host institution, each PhD student will spend on average 18 months at one of the secondment partners in another discipline. Collaborations with leading global med-tech companies as well as with SMEs specializing in AI will provide students with invaluable hands-on experience, while partnerships with hospitals such as the (CHL) will ensure that the research remains closely aligned with clinical needs of people with Parkinson\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe interdisciplinary nature of this program, coupled with its strong translational focus, will prepare our PhD students to become the next generation of leaders in the field of AI-driven healthcare,\u201d says Prof. Jochen Klucken<\/a>, FNR PEARL Chair in Digital Medicine and principal investigator at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine. \u201cBy fostering a new generation of AI specialists with a deep understanding of healthcare challenges, this initiative not only strengthens Luxembourg\u2019s position as a leader in medical data science but also contributes to the broader European effort to advance personalised medicine and digital supported healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nA collaborative effort for future innovators<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The LCSB is leading two key work packages: \u201cPhD Training Program\u201d and \u201cDigital Health\u201d, ensuring a comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum that combines cutting-edge AI and machine learning techniques with ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and a focus on patient outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Luxembourg, two PhD positions will be hosted at the LCSB under the supervision of Prof. Jochen Klucken. The research will explore two pioneering projects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Stratification of clinical disease trajectories and prediction of individual rate of progression<\/strong>
    This project aims to develop multimodal AI\/ML models to stratify Parkinson\u2019s disease patients by their disease progression rate. By analysing large amounts of clinical data, the project will provide insights into the variability of disease progression, potentially reshaping the design of clinical trial and improving patient management strategies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Digital gait biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and treatment response<\/strong>
    This project focuses on the role of sensor-derived parameters in clinical decision making. By using digital biomarkers obtained from wearable devices, the research aims to improve the accuracy of monitoring disease progression and assessing treatment efficacy in PD patients.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    A further two PhD students will start at the Luxembourg Institute of Health under the supervision of Prof. Rejko Kr\u00fcger. In addition to hosting these positions, LCSB and CHL will act as secondment partners and scientific supervisors for 4 additional PhD positions, ensuring a robust training experience that bridges academia and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The recruitment process for the 14 PhD positions across Europe will start soon. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via recruitment portal on the dedicated website of the AIPD consortium.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nCollaboration partners within this European doctoral training unit on AI-driven healthcare (in alphabetical order):<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n