Dreaming of a Cure

A 2016 study led by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms10798), proved that the prostate basal cell layer contains adult stem cells which possess a unique gene expression profile resembling the deadliest form of prostate cancer. This exciting discovery opens a new line of promising treatment to combat this scourge.

“Dreaming of a Cure” consists of an optical microscopy image scan of actual human prostate tissue (courtesy of Adam K. Glaser, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Washington) that has been transformed by a custom version of Google’s “DeepDream” artificial intelligence software modified expressly for the artist, Daniel Ambrosi, by Joseph Smarr (Google) and Chris Lamb (NVIDIA).

It is abundantly clear that artificial intelligence and deep learning algorithms will be increasingly important to the continued progress of scientists and researchers. Less obvious to some observers is that these tools are radically advancing purely artistic and creative endeavors as well. My AI-augmented interpretation of this tissue scan represents a metaphor of the infinite potential of man-machine collaborations in both science and art with the specific intent of blurring the lines between these two disciplines (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1 Dreaming of a Cure.

Figure 2 Dreaming of a Cure before and after.

Daniel Ambrosi, based in Half Moon Bay, California, has been exploring novel methods of visual presentation since graduating from Cornell University with degrees in architecture and 3D graphics. In 2011, Daniel devised a unique form of computational photography that generates extremely high resolution immersive vibrant images. Daniel’s latest work builds upon his previous experiments by adding a powerful new graphics tool to his artistic workflow; namely an enhanced version of “DeepDream”, a computer vision program evolved from Google engineers’ desire to visualize the inner workings of Deep Learning artificial intelligence models.

Acknowledgments

None.

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.