Multiscale Modeling of the Skeletal System

Description

Integrative approaches to biomedical research promise to advance our understanding of the human body and physiopathology of diseases. In this book, the author focuses on the skeletal system, demonstrating how multiscale modeling can determine the relationship between bone mechanics and disease. Introductory chapters explain the concept of integrative research, what a model is, predictive modeling, and the computational methods used throughout the book. Starting with whole body anatomy, physiology and modeling, subsequent chapters scale down from bone and tissue levels to the cellular level, where the modeling of mechanobiological processes is addressed. Finally, the principles are applied to address truly complex, multiscale interactions. Special attention is given to real-world clinical applications: one in pediatric skeletal oncology and one on the prediction of fracture risks in osteoporotic patients. This book has wide interdisciplinary appeal and is a valuable resource for researchers in mechanical and biomedical engineering, quantitative physiology and computational biology.

Marco Viceconti is a world expert in the computational modeling of musculoskeletal systems. The primary driving force behind the Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) Initiative, which aims to develop the methods and technologies to make possible the dream of systems biology, physiome and systems medicine, he is currently the Director of the VPH Institute, the international no-profit organisation that drives the VPH Initiative.

'Professor Viceconti is one of the pioneers of the integrative approach to biological systems and his book is a beautiful illustration of this approach. Beautiful in all senses: sound intellectual argument, clear informative illustrations, fascinating practical applications, and it forms a sustained development of a field of research that is fundamental to the success of any attempt to create the Virtual Physiological Human.' Denis Noble, University of Oxford 'Marco Viceconti is the most energetic advocate of the VPH concept - the use of standards-based multi-scale modelling techniques strongly coupled to data at all levels and, wherever possible, healthcare applications. His speciality is musculo-skeletal modelling and in this book he brings a unique combination of technical expertise (including modelling strategies and numerical methods), clinical experience and modelling philosophy, always guided by the pragmatic problem solving approach of an engineer. The book is a delightful combination of philosophical musings, personal anecdotes, scientific insights and technical advice. It will be of great value to the musculo-skeletal research community, particularly those interested in the clinical application of multi-scale modelling.' Peter Hunter, University of Auckland