1. Discrete Logic-Based modelling of complex systems
Many classical technologies exist for the modelling of complex systems: differential equations, Petri nets, etc. The modelling of biological systems in the context of systems biology is difficult as they are non-deterministic and data are continuous. In our approach, we represent biological systems (ex gene regulations, metabolism, etc) using discrete formal framework with model checking proofs: that is we are able to model these systems using logical approaches and validate emergent properties. We have constructed a GUI which allows us to design biological systems, integrate CTL (Computational Tree Logic) and verify biological properties with model checking. We have tested this platform with the cell’s metabolic network with a focus on energy and biomass regulations which are crucial for cell’s survival. The resulting model is being used in 3 research projects; all focusing on cancer metabolism (one is Metabo-Logic project).

2. Using AI and Robotics in health and environment
In this research area, we are interested with the application of AI and its derivatives like machine learning and deep learning coupled with Robotics/IoT to solve real-life problems revolving around health and environment.

Currently, we are working on three master projects which can eventually lead to PhD thesis, each with a duration of 1.5 years:

a. The CoRAI (Coral research using Robotics and Artificial Intelligence) project
The state of corals all around the world is worrisome and alarming. According to a recent research carried out by MOI, above 50% of corals around Mauritius are in a bleaching and degradation state which can eventually have serious environmental impacts: beach erosion, aquatic lives affected, just to name a few. In this research, we are building an ROV and will compare with an existing commercial one for the analysis of bleached corals with healthy ones. Overall, the ROV will be equipped with IoT modules which will allow to capture text, images and video data for analysis by an AI platform.

b. The DiaBeT (Diabetes en utilisant l’Intelligence Artificielle pour le Bien-être et Traitement des patients) project
Diabetes is on the rise across the globe with millions of people dying each year. Mauritius is no exception with thousands facing this silent disease and government injecting millions yearly. We are trying to address this issue with the application of AI and IoT to accompany diabetic and pre-diabetic patients in their daily management with a continuous monitoring by medical expertise and family members.

c. The CanCeR (Cancer en utilisant les réseaux Convolution et Récurrent) project
Cancer is another deadly disease in Mauritius with few hundreds unfortunately adding to the list yearly including all types of cancer and all age groups. In this research, we focus our attention to breast cancer, the leading one for women in Mauritius and in the world. We are building an online platform to accompany NGOs and patients with the help of medical experts to combat the disease. We will using two techniques from deep learning for analysis of mammography images and try to firstly accelerate detection of cancer / tumours and cross check with outcomes from medical experts and secondly, use medical data for prediction of risk of cancers.