UofL AI Software Licensed to Improve Blood Cancer Testing

Researchers at the University of Louisville have developed an artificial intelligence-powered software platform designed to assist clinical laboratories in detecting conditions that may lead to certain types of blood cell cancer. Licensed by Helena Laboratories, the PROBE (Protein Recognition using Optical Band Extraction) technology automates the interpretation of diagnostic test results, helping laboratory professionals examine samples more efficiently while maintaining the accuracy and consistency critical to patient care.

PROBE was designed to analyze diagnostic patterns in Immunofixation Electrophoresis (IFE) gels - the result of a laboratory test commonly used to detect and monitor plasma cell disorders such as multiple myeloma. The test separates proteins in a patient's blood sample, producing a series of visible bands that laboratory professionals must manually examine to detect abnormal patterns associated with disease.

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Subtle or faint protein bands, however, can be difficult to interpret, and as testing volumes grow, the process can place a considerable operational burden on clinical laboratories while introducing some variability in interpretation between readers. 

Recognizing these challenges first-hand, Hunter Miller, a clinical chemistry fellow and postdoctoral research assistant in the School of Medicine, set out to provide a more standardized and efficient interpretation of these diagnostic tests.

Using machine learning, Miller’s research team employed clinical service data to build the model - pulling from 10,000 electrophoretic gel images for model development and evaluation. While pathologists must still verify results, the software conducts an initial screening; providing interpretable results for lab professionals to review alongside their own analysis and flagging cases it finds difficult to interpret.

This type of imaging data helps oncologists monitor disease progression and treatment over time. By reducing turn-around time, the software has the potential to provide early detection. The standardization of the interpretation process may also help reduce the occurrences of false negatives. 

As artificial intelligence continues to shape the future of technology, protecting and commercializing AI-based innovations presents unique opportunities and challenges, said Jessica Bryant, the licensing manager who oversaw the agreement.

"Our team works with researchers to help translate their work from the lab to the marketplace by protecting any intellectual property and connecting researchers with industry partners that can bring their innovation to life. As AI advances, copyrights are becoming increasingly important, and many AI technologies may qualify for both patent and copyright protection."

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Miller's mentor, Mark Linder, professor in the UofL School of Medicine and co-director of the Clinical Chemistry Fellowship Program, credits the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine’s department's investment in a high-capacity computing station with making the project possible. This infrastructure enabled the team to process thousands of clinical images and train the machine learning model.

Successfully licensing the technology to Helena Laboratories, a leading manufacturer of diagnostic laboratory equipment, has positioned this innovation for broader clinical implementation. 

The project also marks an important milestone in Miller's career. PROBE is the first technology he has patented and licensed. "Being a clinical chemistry fellow exposed me to clinical service tasks while allowing me to engage in my own research projects as well.”

For Linder, mentoring Miller through the development and commercialization of the technology brought his own career full circle. Once a fellow himself, Linder drew on his background as an inventor to help guide Miller through the patenting and licensing process. Together, they worked closely with the University of Louisville’s Office of Research & Innovation to license the technology for clinical use.

"We relied heavily on the Office of Research & Innovation to get this technology licensed and could not have done it without them," Linder said.

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