While not a disease or illness, tinnitus can be a frustrating, often distressing condition that around 1 in 7 adults in the UK experience, according to Tinnitus UK.
Diagnosing it can be challenging because it relies on what patients say they feel, which can be subjective and inconsistent. Getting an accurate diagnosis, however, can lead to more effective treatments and coping strategies.
This is what PhD researcher Jonathan Goulding hopes to address with his work combining biology, AI and software engineering – he aims to create a faster, more accurate way to diagnose tinnitus without expensive or invasive tests.
His project focuses on an RNA-binding protein called AGO2, which is linked to how severe tinnitus can be. Special molecules called aptamers are being designed that can stick to this protein: they are like tiny, custom-made keys that fit into a specific lock.
To create these aptamers, computer simulations and lab experiments are used to:
- Generate thousands of possible aptamer designs
- Predict which ones are most likely to work, based on their shape and energy
- Simulate how well they stick to the AGO2 protein
- Those that give the best results are tested in the lab with simulated and real saliva
Once the best options have been identified, these will be tested using a simple bioassay method that could eventually be used with saliva samples, leading to a quick and reliable way to diagnose tinnitus.
Behind the lab work, AI and parallel computing will be used to handle the huge amounts of data quickly and efficiently. In the future, the system could also be used to find aptamers for any other condition that is linked to an RNA-binding protein expression.
Jonathan said “The generous £5,000 grant from the WCIT Charity will make a significant impact by enabling me to buy materials for the laboratory part of the project. Beyond the financial support, the WCIT’s network and platform will provide invaluable opportunities for connection, mentorship and presenting my work to an influential and engaged community. I’m incredible grateful for both the funding and the broader support that the WCIT will offer, as well as the support I have received throughout my project from my supervisors Dr Margarita Gomez Escalada and Dr Yashar Baradaranshokouhi.”
Chair of the WCIT Charity, Dr Stefan Fafinski DL, added, “We’re proud to support the next generation of researchers working at the intersection of science, technology, and public benefit. This is just one example of how targeted philanthropy can unlock innovation with the potential for national – and even global – impact.”
