Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Artificial Intelligence helps speed up the development of more effective vaccines by building prediction models. These models go through reams of data to find out which parts of the cancer cells would work best in activating immune response. Thus, AI accelerates progress toward vaccines development that are more effective and beneficial for larger sections of the population. The cancer cells contain certain region, known as neoantigens, which the vaccines target to help the human immune system fight cancer. The correct neoantigens are challenging to find, and determining which ones might work the best is complex. In 2022, nearly 20 million people were diagnosed with cancer globally, with many dying from it. In Canada alone, cancer caused 86,700 deaths in 2023. Neoantigens are unique to cancer cells and result from changes in the tumor's genes. Identifying which neoantigens will prompt a strong immune response is crucial for creating effective vaccines. The project is to speed up the vaccine development process using AI. A Deep learning model will be developed that will analyze the genetic data of cancer patients for the rapid identification and evaluation of neoantigens. Automation and streamlining of the process with the help of AI model will make it faster and more accurate. By improving the methodologies of neoantigen identification and utilization, this work hopes to accelerate the development of personalized cancer vaccines. The potential new vaccines may lead to better therapeutic options, reducing cancer mortality and improving overall health outcomes. This represents a landmark study in furthering cancer treatment and providing new hope to patients worldwide.