Michelle Smith

Bio: Michelle Smith is an academic researcher from University of Strasbourg. The author has contributed to research in topics: Genome & Remote surgery. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 5 publications receiving 4083 citations. Previous affiliations of Michelle Smith include Louis Pasteur University.

The zebrafish reference genome sequence and its relationship to the human genome.

Abstract: Zebrafish have become a popular organism for the study of vertebrate gene function. The virtually transparent embryos of this species, and the ability to accelerate genetic studies by gene knockdown or overexpression, have led to the widespread use of zebrafish in the detailed investigation of vertebrate gene function and increasingly, the study of human genetic disease. However, for effective modelling of human genetic disease it is important to understand the extent to which zebrafish genes and gene structures are related to orthologous human genes. To examine this, we generated a high-quality sequence assembly of the zebrafish genome, made up of an overlapping set of completely sequenced large-insert clones that were ordered and oriented using a high-resolution high-density meiotic map. Detailed automatic and manual annotation provides evidence of more than 26,000 protein-coding genes, the largest gene set of any vertebrate so far sequenced. Comparison to the human reference genome shows that approximately 70% of human genes have at least one obvious zebrafish orthologue. In addition, the high quality of this genome assembly provides a clearer understanding of key genomic features such as a unique repeat content, a scarcity of pseudogenes, an enrichment of zebrafish-specific genes on chromosome 4 and chromosomal regions that influence sex determination.

Transatlantic robot-assisted telesurgery

Abstract: ATM technology now enables operations to be performed over huge distances. The introduction of robotic and computer technology into surgical operations allows dexterity to be increased1,2,3 and surgical procedures to be carried out from a distance (telesurgery)4. But until now, the distance feasible for remote telesurgery was considered to be limited to a few hundred miles1 by the time lag of existing telecommunication lines. Here we show that robot-assisted remote telesurgery can be safely carried out across transoceanic distances. The ability to perform complex surgical manipulations from remote locations will eliminate geographical constraints and make surgical expertise available throughout the world, improving patient treatment and surgical training.

Transcontinental robot-assisted remote telesurgery: feasibility and potential applications.

Abstract: Remote robot-assisted telesurgery is feasible and safe using terrestrial telecommunication lines, even through transcontinental distances. In addition to several potential benefits for the patient, remote surgery might improve surgical training and education. Future developments of computer technology and their surgical applications, particularly in the field of virtual reality three-dimensional reconstructions of patient’s specific anatomy and pathology, are the possible solutions to overcome the lack of direct patient-surgeon contact. Indeed, virtual reality systems may not only improve surgical performance by allowing preoperative simulations and rehearsal of surgical procedures ahead of time, but may also allow, thanks to real-time Internet teleconsultations, active intervention of the operating surgeon in the diagnostic process and in the evaluation of indications and contraindications to surgery.

Telerobotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy: initial clinical experience with 25 patients.

Abstract: Computers and technology are increasingly interacting with surgeons both inside and outside of the operating room, as exemplified by the rapid adoption of laparoscopy into routine use. The computer’s ability to enhance, modify, or transform electronic data is changing patient management before, during, and after surgery. As such, these technologic advancements are having an ever-increasing influence on the way surgery is planned and performed. 1–5 We and others have previously reported preoperative liver imaging studies that show computer translation of conventional computed tomography scans into three-dimensional virtual reality images that sharply delineate the patient’s anatomical structures as well as the presence of any pathology. 6–8 By using this model, the surgeon can choose dissection planes before and during surgery. This significant advance in imaging technology has led to image-guided surgery in specialties such as neurosurgery and has led to an increased interest in computer-assisted surgery (CAS). 9,10 To gain intraoperative benefits from virtual reality imaging, the entire surgical operation must be transformed into a form of communication that can be integrated with the information transmitted by real-time imaging. This is accomplished by transforming the movements of the surgeon’s instruments into electronic signals, or digitization, a form of communication that can be processed by a surgical robotics computer system. As an initial step in this evolution in surgical planning and intraoperative interaction of surgeon with the computer, the present study was designed to determine the feasibility, safety, and utility of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomies with the computer–surgeon interface of a surgical robotic system. The robotic system duplicates the motion of the laparoscopic instruments controlled by the surgeon, who is positioned at a distance from the patient; using this system, laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in both acute and nonacute clinical situations. Establishing the safety of performing robotic procedures on abdominal internal organs will pave the way for future definitive studies of computer integration of preoperative imaging studies with real-time, computer-assisted surgery. CAS offers several advantages: the increase in three-dimensional accuracy, the reproducibility of repeated procedures, the increased precision of movements, and the unique ability to perform surgery over a distance. 11 The robotics systems currently in use, including the system described here, operate on a master/slave principle that involves the use of a “master” computer console operated by the surgeon that integrates computer input, manipulation of the master instruments that control the endoscopic instruments, and the “slave” instruments that are attached to and manipulated by the robotic control arms. 12–15 This is considered computer-assisted “passive” robotic manipulation because the robot is under the direct control of an operating surgeon. Therefore, the robot does not replace but rather augments the skills of the surgeon. As an initial clinical study on robotic-aided surgery to establish safety and feasibility, further aims of this study were to determine the practicality of the use of the robot by operating room support staff and surgical staff; location of ports for optimal placement of robotic-controlled instruments to optimize visualization and to minimize opposition of the instruments; and finally to compare postoperative course and patient outcomes with literature standards for laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

Corrigendum: The zebrafish reference genome sequence and its relationship to the human genome

Abstract: Nature 496, 498–503 (2013); doi:10.1038/nature12111 In this Letter, five authors were inadvertently omitted: Sharmin Begum and Christine Lloyd from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, and Christa Lanz, Gunter Raddatz and Stephan C. Schuster from the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology. David Elliot was incorrectly listed as David Eliot, Beverley Mortimore was incorrectly listed as Beverly Mortimer, and James D.

Medical robotics in computer-integrated surgery

Abstract: This paper provides a broad overview of medical robot systems used in surgery. After introducing basic concepts of computer-integrated surgery, surgical CAD/CAM, and surgical assistants, it discusses some of the major design issues particular to medical robots. It then illustrates these issues and the broader themes introduced earlier with examples of current surgical CAD/CAM and surgical assistant systems. Finally, it provides a brief synopsis of current research challenges and closes with a few thoughts on the research/industry/clinician teamwork that is essential for progress in the field.

Robotic Surgery: A Current Perspective

Abstract: Robotic surgery is a new and exciting emerging technology that is taking the surgical profession by storm. Up to this point, however, the race to acquire and incorporate this emerging technology has primarily been driven by the market. In addition, surgical robots have become the entry fee for centers wanting to be known for excellence in minimally invasive surgery despite the current lack of practical applications. Therefore, robotic devices seem to have more of a marketing role than a practical role. Whether or not robotic devices will grow into a more practical role remains to be seen. Our goal in writing this review is to provide an objective evaluation of this technology and to touch on some of the subjects that manufacturers of robots do not readily disclose. In this article we discuss the development and evolution of robotic surgery, review current robotic systems, review the current data, discuss the current role of robotics in surgery, and finally we discuss the possible roles of robotic surgery in the future. It is our hope that by the end of this article the reader will be able to make a more informed decision about robotic surgery before “chasing the market.”

Toxicity of organometal halide perovskite solar cells

Abstract: In the last few years, the advent of metal halide perovskite solar cells has revolutionized the prospects of next-generation photovoltaics. As this technology is maturing at an exceptional rate, research on its environmental impact is becoming increasingly relevant.

RepeatModeler2 for automated genomic discovery of transposable element families.

Abstract: The accelerating pace of genome sequencing throughout the tree of life is driving the need for improved unsupervised annotation of genome components such as transposable elements (TEs). Because the types and sequences of TEs are highly variable across species, automated TE discovery and annotation are challenging and time-consuming tasks. A critical first step is the de novo identification and accurate compilation of sequence models representing all of the unique TE families dispersed in the genome. Here we introduce RepeatModeler2, a pipeline that greatly facilitates this process. This program brings substantial improvements over the original version of RepeatModeler, one of the most widely used tools for TE discovery. In particular, this version incorporates a module for structural discovery of complete long terminal repeat (LTR) retroelements, which are widespread in eukaryotic genomes but recalcitrant to automated identification because of their size and sequence complexity. We benchmarked RepeatModeler2 on three model species with diverse TE landscapes and high-quality, manually curated TE libraries: Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), Danio rerio (zebrafish), and Oryza sativa (rice). In these three species, RepeatModeler2 identified approximately 3 times more consensus sequences matching with >95% sequence identity and sequence coverage to the manually curated sequences than the original RepeatModeler. As expected, the greatest improvement is for LTR retroelements. Thus, RepeatModeler2 represents a valuable addition to the genome annotation toolkit that will enhance the identification and study of TEs in eukaryotic genome sequences. RepeatModeler2 is available as source code or a containerized package under an open license (https://github.com/Dfam-consortium/RepeatModeler, http://www.repeatmasker.org/RepeatModeler/).

Robotics in general surgery: personal experience in a large community hospital.

Abstract: Hypothesis Robotic technology is the most advanced development of minimally invasive surgery, but there are still some unresolved issues concerning its use in a clinical setting. Design The study describes the clinical experience of the Department of General Surgery, Misericordia Hospital, Grosseto, Italy, in robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. Results Between October 2000 and November 2002, 193 patients underwent a minimally invasive robotic procedure (74 men and 119 women; mean age, 55.9 years [range, 16-91 years]). A total of 207 robotic surgical operations, including abdominal, thoracic and vascular procedures, were performed; 179 were single procedures, and 14 were double (2 operations on the same patient). There were 4 conversions to open surgery and 3 to conventional laparoscopy (conversion rate, 3.6%; 7 of 193 patients). The perioperative morbidity rate was 9.3% (18 of 193 patients), and 6 patients (3.1%) required a reoperation. The postoperative mortality rate was 1.5% (3 of 193 patients). Conclusions Our preliminary experience at a large community hospital suggests that robotic surgery is feasible in a clinical setting. Its daily use is safe and easily managed, and it expands the applications of minimally invasive surgery. However, the best indications still have to be defined, and the cost-benefit ratio must be evaluated. This report could serve as a basis for a future prospective, randomized trial.