Modeling of biological phenomena has always been an appealing research area through which an advanced understanding of physiology for further improvement of health care is possible. In computational modeling, there is the potential to explore complex interactions in biological systems and the possibility to develop novel therapeutic interventions, rehabilitation programs, diagnostics, and surgery techniques. Despite these likely benefits, simulation-based medicine is a rare practice and the discipline has been usually constrained to research environments due to time-consuming nature of model development and solution, lack of patient-specificity, and difficulties in model parameter estimations. In order to promote the utility of computer modeling and simulation in medicine, our specific goals are
Relevant to the former goal, our team has been providing solutions to address practical problems in the clinics from insole design for patients with diabetes to evaluation of trochlear osteotomy. As part of the latter research area, we couple simulation domains and spatial scales of musculoskeletal biomechanics and tissue mechanics to explore healthy and diseased function of the human body. We managed to adequately and cost-effectively couple musculoskeletal movement simulations and tissue deformations. Our current work is focused on coupling simulations of tissue deformations with those of the cells. This requirement became evident since mechanically induced cellular function and damage (as seen in osteoarthritis, a debilitating disease estimated to influence 26.5 million people only in the US) can be predicted by establishing the pathway from body level mechanical forces. Preventive procedures and interventions can be designed to accommodate the dysfunction of this mechanical pathway.
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