Clinical Applications of Physiome Project Models

Abstract

The Physiome Project is contributing to the bioengineering analysis of human physiology and associated clinical applications by developing models of structure–function relations that incorporate accurate models of human anatomy. Biophysically based equations are solved, subject to measured boundary conditions, on these anatomical geometries. The primary goal is to include all relevant physical processes together with a multi-scale modelling approach that attempts to link protein level function in ion channel or signal transduction pathways, for example, to tissue structure and the integrative function of whole organs or organ systems. We give four examples of the physiome modelling approach, all motivated by clinically important problems: reflux of stomach contents through the gastro-oesophageal junction, aspects of the musculo-skeletal function of the knee and leg, tracking the spread of melanoma in lymphatic ducts and analyzing ultrasound measurements of cardiac mechanical function. ...