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Data Analysis Tool for ex-vivo perfused pig liver experiments
Regenerating a pig-liver outside of the body.
Keywords: programming, data visualization, data analysis, interdisciplinary
The liver has the ability to regenerate. Liver resection (surgical removal of the diseased part of the liver) for the treatment of liver cancer has been carried out for a few decades but many tumors are inoperable because the removal of a too large piece of liver is fatal. Therapeutic strategies for liver regeneration are being researched in which the growth of a healthy liver piece outside of the body is carried out until a sufficient size is reached, with subsequent transplantation and removal of the diseased part. To this end, an ex vivo liver perfusion machine is currently being developed in our lab to extend the viability of liver tissue outside of the body up to five days and allow its growth.
The liver has the ability to regenerate. Liver resection (surgical removal of the diseased part of the liver) for the treatment of liver cancer has been carried out for a few decades but many tumors are inoperable because the removal of a too large piece of liver is fatal. Therapeutic strategies for liver regeneration are being researched in which the growth of a healthy liver piece outside of the body is carried out until a sufficient size is reached, with subsequent transplantation and removal of the diseased part. To this end, an ex vivo liver perfusion machine is currently being developed in our lab to extend the viability of liver tissue outside of the body up to five days and allow its growth.
A number of perfusion experiments have been performed in our lab and a considerable data set has been obtained by recording both offline and online data of key physical and physiological parameters. The data is stored in a customized database and is currently used within a MATLAB environment. The first goal of this project is to design an open-source based analysis-tool with an intuitive web-interface that allows to visualize and analyze arbitrary datasets from the database in a fast and logical manner. To this end the tool should be equipped with state-of-the-art regression and possibly machine-learning analysis algorithms. To underline its functionality and usefulness, the second goal of the project is to analyze some of the experiments in detail, e.g. determining decisive parameters or sets of parameters that give significant indication with respect to the liver’s health and possibly detect trends that could lead to a worsening of the liver. The tool will be developed with our interdisciplinary team consisting of engineers, surgeons and biologists to ensure an easy-to-use interface.
Requirements:
- Experience with open-source visualization software, e.g. plotly, chart JS, D3, …
- Experience with database management systems, e.g. MySQL, PostgresSQL, …
- Strong interest in interdisciplinary work
- Reliable and independent work
- Ability to see blood is a plus
A number of perfusion experiments have been performed in our lab and a considerable data set has been obtained by recording both offline and online data of key physical and physiological parameters. The data is stored in a customized database and is currently used within a MATLAB environment. The first goal of this project is to design an open-source based analysis-tool with an intuitive web-interface that allows to visualize and analyze arbitrary datasets from the database in a fast and logical manner. To this end the tool should be equipped with state-of-the-art regression and possibly machine-learning analysis algorithms. To underline its functionality and usefulness, the second goal of the project is to analyze some of the experiments in detail, e.g. determining decisive parameters or sets of parameters that give significant indication with respect to the liver’s health and possibly detect trends that could lead to a worsening of the liver. The tool will be developed with our interdisciplinary team consisting of engineers, surgeons and biologists to ensure an easy-to-use interface.
Requirements:
- Experience with open-source visualization software, e.g. plotly, chart JS, D3, …
- Experience with database management systems, e.g. MySQL, PostgresSQL, …