Two National University of Lesotho (NUL) students have invented a cancer detection computer application that could revolutionise cancer treatment in Lesotho.
Dubbed ‘Rehumagene’ (from human generation), the app is designed to assist in analysing images of cells to identify cancer cells in a human tissue.
Paramente Mphunyane and Teboho Khobatha, both biology majors, said they participated in an intensive training under NUL’s Samsung Innovation Campus where more than 20 other students took part.
“We realised that combining our knowledge of biology with coding could lead to something interesting,” Khobatha said.
He explained that the app is designed to assist medical professionals in analysing cells under a microscope. Traditionally, doctors and medical workers examine cells manually to diagnose diseases like cancer, a process that can be time consuming and prone to human error.
Furthermore, he noted, Rehumagene uses created algorithms to analyse cell images and flag potential abnormalities, such as cancer cells, faster than manual methods.
“We instruct the app by teaching it to recognise patterns associated with different kinds of cells. However, the app does not replace doctors; it is a tool existing to help them work more efficiently. By speeding up the initial analysis, doctors can focus on confirming results and planning treatments,” Khobatha said.
The two students acknowledge that the app is still in the early stages of development but they are working to improve its efficiency and expand its capabilities.
In addition to cancer cell detection, they said, they explored how this app could assist in stem cell research.
Stem cells are unique because they can develop into different types of cells, such as skin, muscles, or nerve cells. Scientists use stem cells to study diseases and develop regenerative therapies, but identifying and isolating suitable cells for research can be challenging, they pointed out.
“This project is envisioned to help researchers identify cells that could be reprogrammed into stem cells, potentially speeding up the process. Our app is a small step towards making it more accessible, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” Khobatha explained.
The two said they are now focused on refining the app and testing it in real world scenarios. They hope to collaborate with medical professionals and researchers to validate its effectiveness and explore its potential applications. Their goal is to make a meaningful contribution to healthcare.
