At ArchiMed, we delve into two massive biomedical collections – the Strasbourg Pathological Tissue Collection (SPTC) and the Geneva Brain Bank (GBB). These collections, spanning the entire 20th century, hold over 1.5 million specimens, providing a rich tapestry of historical and medical data. Our goal is to convert these non-digital archives into a treasure trove for contemporary research, using cutting-edge AI and data science methodologies.

The project’s heartbeat lies in its multifaceted approach:

• AI-Assisted Digitization: We’re pioneering the use of AI to transform handwritten medical records and histopathological slides into a searchable digital database.
• Archeogenomic and Histopathological Analysis: By examining archival tissue samples, we aim to unearth new insights into diseases like neurosyphilis, offering a window into the past to inform future medical breakthroughs.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: ArchiMed thrives on the synergy between historians, AI specialists, molecular biologists, and medical professionals, creating a rich interdisciplinary dialogue.

Our focus on neurosyphilis serves as a pilot study, providing a model for how historical biobanks can be leveraged in modern research. This journey is not just about the data – it’s about recontextualizing our medical past, understanding the evolution of diseases, and enriching current and future research with a depth of historical data.