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The '''Virtual Physiological Human''' ('''VPH''') is a European initiative that focuses on a methodological and technological framework that, once established, will enable collaborative investigation of the human body as a single [[complex system]].<ref>Clapworthy et al. 2007</ref><ref>According to the [http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap STEP research road map] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828022132/http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap |date=August 28, 2008 }}</ref> The collective framework will make it possible to share resources and observations formed by institutions and organizations, creating disparate but integrated [[computer models]] of the mechanical, physical and [[biochemical]] functions of a living human body.
{{refimprove|date=December 2008}}


VPH is a framework which aims to be descriptive, integrative and predictive.<ref name="Fenner2008">{{cite journal |vauthors=Fenner JW, Brook B, Clapworthy G, Coveney PV, Feipel V, Gregersen H, etal | title=The EuroPhysiome, STEP and a roadmap for the virtual physiological human. | journal=[[Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A]] | year= 2008 | volume= 366 | issue= 1878 | pages= 2979–99 | pmid=18559316
⚫
The '''Virtual Physiological Human''' (VPH) is a methodological and technological framework that, once established, will enable collaborative investigation of the human body as a single complex system <ref> Clapworthy et al. 2007 </ref> <ref>According to the [http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap STEP research road map]</ref>. The collective framework will make it possible to share resources and observations formed by institutions and organizations creating disparate, but integrated [[computer models]] of the mechanical, physical and biochemical functions of a living human body.
| url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsta.2008.0089 | doi=10.1098/rsta.2008.0089 | bibcode=2008RSPTA.366.2979F | s2cid=1211981 }}</ref><ref name="Viceconti2008">{{cite journal |vauthors=Viceconti M, Taddei F, Van Sint Jan S, Leardini A, Cristofolini L, Stea S, etal | title=Multiscale modelling of the skeleton for the prediction of the risk of fracture. | journal=Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) | year= 2008 | volume= 23 | issue= 7 | pages= 845–52 | pmid=18304710
| url=https://www.clinbiomech.com/article/S0268-0033(08)00023-5/fulltext | doi=10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2008.01.009 }}</ref><ref name="Clapworthy2008">{{cite journal|vauthors=Clapworthy G, Viceconti M, Coveney PV, Kohl P | title=The virtual physiological human: building a framework for computational biomedicine I. Editorial. | journal=[[Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A]] | year= 2008 | volume= 366 | issue= 1878 | pages= 2975–8 | pmid=18559315 | doi=10.1098/rsta.2008.0103 | doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="europhysiome1">[http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap STEP research road map] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828022132/http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap |date=August 28, 2008 }}</ref> Clapworthy ''et al.'' state that the framework should be descriptive by allowing laboratory and healthcare observations around the world "to be collected, catalogued, organized, shared and combined in any possible way."<ref name="Clapworthy2008" /> It should be integrative by enabling those observations to be collaboratively analyzed by related professionals in order to create "systemic hypotheses."<ref name="Clapworthy2008" /> Finally, it should be [[predictive modelling|predictive]] by encouraging interconnections between extensible and scalable predictive models and "systemic networks that solidify those systemic hypotheses" while allowing observational comparison.<ref name="Clapworthy2008" />


⚫
The framework is formed by large collections of [[anatomy|anatomical]], [[physiology|physiological]], and [[pathology|pathological]] data stored in digital format, typically by predictive simulations developed from these collections and by services intended to support researchers in the creation and maintenance of these models, as well as in the creation of end-user technologies to be used in the clinical practice. VPH models aim to integrate physiological processes across different length and time scales (multi-scale modelling).<ref name="Fenner2008"/> These models make possible the combination of patient-specific data with population-based representations. The objective is to develop a systemic approach which avoids a [[reductionism|reductionist]] approach and seeks not to subdivide biological systems in any particular way by dimensional scale (body, organ, tissue, cells, molecules), by [[scientific discipline]] ([[biology]], [[physiology]], [[biophysics]], [[biochemistry]], [[molecular biology]], [[bioengineering]]) or anatomical sub-system ([[cardiovascular]], musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, etc.).<ref name="Clapworthy2008"/>
The Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) is a framework which aims to be descriptive, integrative and predictive <ref> Fenner et al. 2008; Viceconti et al. 2008; Clapworthy et al. 2008 </ref> <ref> [http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap STEP research road map]</ref>:


==History==
*Descriptive. The framework should allow observations made in laboratories, hospitals and the field, at a variety of locations situated anywhere in the world, to be collected, catalogued, organized, shared and combined in any possible way.


⚫
The initial concepts that led to the Virtual Physiological Human initiative came from the [[Physiome Project|IUPS Physiome Project]]. The project was started in 1997 and represented the first worldwide effort to define the [[physiome]] through the development of databases and models which facilitated the understanding of the integrative function of cells, organs, and organisms.<ref name="HunterBorg2003">{{cite journal|vauthors=Hunter PJ, Borg TK | title=Integration from proteins to organs: the Physiome Project. | journal=Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol | year= 2003 | volume= 4 | issue= 3 | pages= 237–43 | pmid=12612642 | url=https://www.nature.com/articles/nrm1054 | doi=10.1038/nrm1054 | s2cid=25185270 }}</ref> The project focused on compiling and providing a central repository of databases that would link experimental information and computational models from many laboratories into a single, self-consistent framework.
*Integrative. The framework should enable experts to analyse these observations collaboratively and develop systemic hypotheses that involve the knowledge of multiple scientific disciplines.


⚫
Following the launch of the Physiome Project, there were many other worldwide initiatives of loosely coupled actions all focusing on the development of methods for modelling and simulation of human pathophysiology. In 2005, an expert workshop of the Physiome was held as part of the Functional Imaging and Modelling of the Heart Conference in Barcelona where a white paper<ref>{{cite web|vauthors=Ayache N, Boissel JP, Brunak S, Clapworthy G, Lonsdale G, Fingberg J, Frangi A, Deco G, Hunter P, Nielsen P, Halstead M, Hose R, Magnin I, Martin-Sanchez F, Sloot P, Kaandorp J, Hoekstra A, Van Sint Jan S, Viceconti M |url=http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/health/docs/events/barcelona2005/ec-vph-white-paper2005nov.pdf |title=Towards virtual physiological human: Multilevel modelling and simulation of the human anatomy and physiology | publisher = edited by DG INFSO & DG JRC |date= November 2005}}</ref> entitled ''Towards Virtual Physiological Human: Multilevel modelling and simulation of the human anatomy and physiology'' was presented. The goal of this paper was to shape a clear overview of on-going relevant VPH activities, to build a consensus on how they can be complemented by new initiatives for researchers in the EU and to identify possible mid-term and long term research challenges.
*Predictive. The framework should make it possible to interconnect predictive models defined at different scales, with multiple methods and varying levels of detail, into systemic networks that solidify those systemic hypotheses; it should also make it possible to verify their validity by comparison with other clinical or laboratory observations.


In 2006, the European Commission funded a coordination and support action entitled ''STEP: Structuring The EuroPhysiome''. The STEP consortium promoted a significant consensus process that involved more than 300 stakeholders including researchers, industry experts, policy makers, clinicians, etc. The prime result of this process was a booklet entitled ''Seeding the EuroPhysiome: A Roadmap to the Virtual Physiological Human''.<ref name="europhysiome1"/> The STEP action and the resulting research roadmap were instrumental in the development of the VHP concept and in the initiation of much larger process that involves significant research funding, large collaborative projects, and a number of connected initiatives, not only in Europe but also in the United States, Japan, and China.
The framework is formed by large collections of [[anatomy|anatomical]], [[physiology|physiological]], and [[pathology|pathological]] data stored in digital format, by predictive simulations developed from these collections, and by services intended to support researchers in the creation and maintenance of these models.


⚫
VPH now forms a core target of the 7th Framework Programme<ref>[http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ 7th Framework Programme]</ref> of the [[European Commission]], and aims to support the development of patient-specific computer models and their application in personalised and predictive healthcare.<ref name="KohlNoble2009">{{cite journal|vauthors=Kohl P, Noble D | title=Systems biology and the virtual physiological human. | journal=Mol Syst Biol | year= 2009 | volume= 5 | issue= 1| page= 292 | pmid=19638973 | doi=10.1038/msb.2009.51 | pmc=2724980 }}</ref> The Virtual Physiological Human Network of Excellence (VPH NoE) aims to connect the various VPH projects within the 7th Framework Programme.
⚫
Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) models aim to integrate physiological processes across different length and time scales (multi-scale modelling), <ref>Fenner et al, 2008</ref>. These models make possible the combination of patient-specific data with population-based representations. The objective is to develop a systemic approach which avoids a [[reductionism|reductionist]] approach and seeks not to subdivide biological systems in any particular way by dimensional scale (body, organ, tissue, cells, molecules), by scientific discipline (biology, physiology, biophysics biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering) or anatomical sub-system (cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, etc.) <ref> Clapworthy et al. 2008 </ref>.


==Goals of the initiative==
⚫
==History of Virtual Physiological Human (VPH)==


⚫
VPH-related projects have received substantial funding from the European Commission in order to further scientific progress in this area. The European Commission is insistent that VPH-related projects demonstrate strong industrial participation and clearly indicate a route from basic science into clinical practice.<ref name="Clapworthy2008"/> In the future, it is hoped that the VPH will eventually lead to a better healthcare system which aims to produce the following benefits:<ref name="europhysiome1"/>
⚫
The initial concept of the Virtual Physiological Human came from the [[Physiome Project|IUPS physiome project]]. The IUPS physiome project was formed in 1997 and was the first worldwide effort to define the physiome through the development of databases and models which facilitated the understanding of the integrative function of cells, organs, and organisms <ref> Hunter and Borg 2003</ref>. The project focused on compiling and providing a central repository of databases, linking experimental information and computational models from many laboratories into a single, self-consistent framework.


⚫
* personalized care solutions
'''''The Physiome is the quantitative and integrated description of the functional behaviour of the physiological state of an individual or species <ref> [http://www.physiome.org/ NSR Physiome Project] </ref>.
⚫
* reduced need for experiments on animals
⚫
* more holistic approaches to medicine
⚫
* preventative approaches to treatment of disease


⚫
Personalized care solutions are a key aim of the VPH, with new modelling environments for predictive, individualized healthcare to result in better patient safety and drug efficacy. It is anticipated that the VPH could also result in healthcare improvement through greater understanding of pathophysiological processes.<ref name="Fenner2008"/> The use of biomedical data from a patient to simulate potential treatments and outcomes could prevent the patient from experiencing unnecessary or ineffective treatments.<ref name="Sadiq2008">{{cite journal |vauthors=Sadiq SK, Mazzeo MD, Zasada SJ, Manos S, Stoica I, Gale CV, etal | title=Patient-specific simulation as a basis for clinical decision-making. | journal=[[Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A]] | year= 2008 | volume= 366 | issue= 1878 | pages= 3199–219 | pmid=18573758 | url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsta.2008.0100 | doi=10.1098/rsta.2008.0100 | bibcode=2008RSPTA.366.3199S | s2cid=1690327 }}</ref> The use of in silico (by computer simulation) modelling and testing of drugs could also reduce the need for experiments on animals.
⚫
Following the launch of the Physiome Project, there were many other worldwide initiatives of loosely coupled actions all focusing on the development of methods for modelling and simulation of human physiology. In 2005, an expert workshop of the Physiome was held as part of the Functional Imaging and Modelling of the Heart Conference in Barcelona where a White Paper <ref> http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/health/docs/events/barcelona2005/ec-vph-white-paper2005nov.pdf White Paper </ref> was created. The paper was entitled ‘Towards Virtual Physiological Human: Multilevel modelling and simulation of the human anatomy and physiology’. The goal of this paper was to shape a clear overview of on-going relevant VPH activities, to build a consensus on how they can be complemented by new initiatives for researchers in the EU and to identify possible mid-term and long term research challenges.


⚫
A future goal is that there also will be a more holistic approach to medicine with the body treated as a single multi-organ system rather than as a collection of individual organs. Advanced integrative tools should further help to improve the European healthcare system on a number of different levels that include diagnosis, treatment and care of patients and in particular quality of life.<ref name="europhysiome1"/>
At the same time in 2005, a proposal was accepted by the European Commission for a roadmap on how to coordinate European efforts toward the development of the Virtual Physiological Human. The roadmap was written by STEP, a consortium formed by academic, industrial and healthcare specialists as well as scientists who had previously worked on multiscale modelling of particular physiological systems (heart, kidney, epithelium, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal etc) <ref>Clapworthy et al. 2008 </ref>.


==Projects==
The Step research road map <ref>. [http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap STEP research road map]</ref>. http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap/). to the Europhysiome was instrumental in the development of the VPH and was completed by the STEP coordination action in 2007.


=== ImmunoGrid ===
⚫
The Virtual Physiological Human now forms a core target of the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission, and aims to support the development of patient-specific computer models and their application in personalised and predictive healthcare <ref> Kohl and Noble, 2009</ref>. The Virtual Physiological Human Network of Excellence [[VPH NoE]] aims to connect the various VPH projects within the 7th Framework Programme.
ImmunoGrid is a project funded by the EU under Framework 6, to model and simulate the human [[immune system]] using [[grid computing]] at different physiological levels.<ref>{{cite web|title=ImmunoGrid - The European virtual human immune system project|url=http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/79503_en.html|publisher=European Commission : CORDIS : Projects & Results Service|access-date=23 July 2017}}</ref>


==Aim of the Virtual Physiological Human==
=== Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human ===
'''VPHOP''' '''(Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human)''' is a [[European Union|European]] [[Osteoporosis]] research project within the framework of the Virtual Physiological Human initiative. With current technology, osteoporotic fractures can be predicted with an accuracy of less than 70%. Better ways to prevent and diagnose osteoporotic fractures are needed.
⚫
VPH related projects have received substantial funding from the European Commission in order to further scientific progress in this area. The European Commission is insistent that VPH-related projects demonstrate strong industrial participation and clearly indicate a route from basic science into clinical practice <ref>Clapworthy et al. 2008 </ref>. In the future, it is hoped that the VPH will eventually lead to a better healthcare system which aims to have the following benefits<ref> [http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap STEP research road map]</ref>:


Current fracture predictions are based on history and examination on the basis of which key factors are identified which contribute to the increased probability of an osteoporotic fracture. This approach oversimplifies the mechanisms leading to an osteoporotic fracture and fail to take into account numerous hierarchical factors which are unique to the individual. These factors range from [[Cell (biology)|cell-level]] to body-level functions. [[Human musculoskeletal system|Musculoskeletal anatomy]] and neuromotor control define the daily loading spectrum, including paraphysiological overloading events. Fracture events occur at the organ level and are influenced by the elasticity and geometry of bone elasticity and geometry are determined by [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]] [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]]. Cell activity changes tissue morphology and composition over time. Constituents of the [[extracellular matrix]] are the prime determinants of tissue strength. Accuracy could be dramatically improved if a more [[Determinism|deterministic]] approach was used that accounts for those factors and their variation between individuals.
⚫
personalized care solutions
⚫
reduced need for experiments on animals
⚫
more holistic approach to medicine
⚫
preventative approach to treatment of disease


The goal of the Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human is to improve the accuracy of these osteoporotic fracture prediction algorithms.
⚫
Personalized care solutions are a key aim of the VPH, with new modelling environments for predictive, individualized healthcare to result in better patient safety and drug efficacy. It is anticipated that the VPH could also result in healthcare improvement through greater understanding of pathophysiological processes <ref>Fenner et al. 2008 </ref>. The use of biomedical data from a patient to simulate potential treatments and outcomes could prevent the patient from experiencing unnecessary or ineffective treatments <ref>Sadiq et al. 2008 </ref>. The use of in silico (by computer simulation) modelling and testing of drugs could also reduce the need for experiments on animals.

⚫
A future goal is that there will be also be a more holistic approach to medicine with the body treated as a single multi organ system rather than as a collection of individual organs. Advanced integrative tools should further help to improve the European healthcare system on a number of different levels that include diagnosis, treatment and care of patients and in particular quality of life. <ref> [http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap STEP research road map]</ref>. The [[VPH NoE]] website contains further information on VPH projects.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Physiome]]
* [[Cytome]]
⚫
* [[Physiology]]
* [[EuroPhysiome]]
* [[EuroPhysiome]]
⚫
* [[Cytome]]
* [[VPH NoE]]
* [[Human anatomy]]
* [[Human anatomy]]
* [[Living Human Project]]
* [[Living Human Project]]
⚫
* [[Physiology]]
⚫
* [[Physiome]]
⚫
* [[Virtual Physiological Rat]]
* [[VPHOP]] (Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human)
* [[VPHOP]] (Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human)


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==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
⚫
*Clapworthy, G., Kohl, P., Gregerson, H., Thomas, S., Viceconti, M., Hose, D., Pinney, D., Fenner, J., McCormack, K., Lawford, P., Van Sint Jan, S., Waters, S., & Coveney, P. 2007, "Digital Human Modelling: A Global Vision and a European Perspective," In Digital Human Modelling: A Global Vision and a European Perspective, Berlin: Springer, pp.&nbsp;549–558.

⚫
*Clapworthy, G., Kohl, P., Gregerson, H., Thomas, S., Viceconti, M., Hose, D., Pinney, D., Fenner, J., McCormack, K., Lawford, P., Van Sint Jan, S., Waters, S., & Coveney, P. 2007, "Digital Human Modelling: A Global Vision and a European Perspective," In Digital Human Modelling: A Global Vision and a European Perspective , Berlin: Springer, pp. 549-558.

*Clapworthy, G., Viceconti, M., Coveney, P.V., & Kohl, P. 2008. The Virtual Physiological Human: building a framework for computational biomedicine I. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 366, (1878) 2975-2978 available from: http://rsta.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/366/1878/2975.short

*Fenner, J.W., Brook, B., Clapworthy, G., Coveney, P.V., Feipel, V., Gregersen, H., Hose, D.R., Kohl, P., Lawford, P., McCormack, K.M., Pinney, D., Thomas, S.R., Van Sint Jan, S., Waters, S., & Viceconti, M. 2008. The EuroPhysiome, STEP and a roadmap for the virtual physiological human. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 366, (1878) 2979-2999 available from: http://rsta.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/366/1878/2979.abstract
*Hunter, P.J. 2006. Modeling living systems: the IUPS/EMBS Physiome project. Proceedings IEEE, 94, 678-991
*Hunter, P.J. 2006. Modeling living systems: the IUPS/EMBS Physiome project. Proceedings IEEE, 94, 678-991
*Viceconti, M., Testi, D., Taddei, F., Martelli, S., Clapworthy, G. J., Van Sint Jan, S., 2006. Biomechanics Modeling of the Musculoskeletal Apparatus: Status and Key Issues. Proceedings of the IEEE 94(4), 725-739.


⚫
==External links==
*Hunter, P.J. & Borg, T.K. 2003. Integration from proteins to organs: the Physiome project. Nature, 4, (237) 243
* [http://www.vph-institute.org/ VPH Institute]

*Kohl, P. & Noble, D. (in press). Systems biology and the Virtual Physiological Human. Molecular Systems Biology

*Sadiq, S.K., Mazzeo, M.D., Zasada, S.J., Manos, S., Stoica, I., Gale, C.V., Watson, S.J., Kellam, P., Brew, S., & Coveney, P.V. 2008. Patient-specific simulation as a basis for clinical decision-making. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 366, (1978) 3199-3219

*Viceconti, M., Clapworthy, G., & Van Sint Jan, S. 2008. The Virtual Physiological Human — A European Initiative for in silico Human Modelling. Journal of Physiological Sciences, 58, (7) 441-446


⚫
==Links to External Resources==

* [http://www.vph-noe.eu/ VPH NoE] The VPH NoE was launched in 2008 and aims to provide the necessary infrastructure including computational methodologies, tools and databases that will enable academic, clinical and industrial researchers to communicate, and to exchange data and technologies in a standardised way. The website has the latest news, events and progress of the VPH NoE, contains further information on the VPH I projects and is a useful resource to find out more about the VPH.

* [http://www.europhysiome.org EuroPhysiome] The Europhysiome initiative was coordinated by the STEP Coordination action, which aimed to establish a better coordination between European Physiome projects. STEP is now completed; its primary results were the establishment of the Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) concept, and the production of a European research roadmap to the realisation of the VPH.

*[http://www.europhysiome.org/roadmap STEP Roadmap] STEP Consortium. Seeding the EuroPhysiome: A Roadmap to the Virtual Physiological Human. [Online] 5 July 2007,

*[http://www.physiome.org.nz/ IUPS Physiome Project] The Physiome Project is a worldwide public domain effort to provide a computational framework for understanding human and other eukaryotic physiology. It aims to develop integrative models at all levels of biological organisation, from genes to the whole organism via gene regulatory networks, protein pathways, integrative cell function, and tissue and whole organ structure/function relations. University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

*[http://www.biomedtown.org/ BioMed Town] is an online resource, borne out of the Sixth Framework Programme Coordination Action STEP (A Strategy for the Europhysiome). It is a meeting place open to Biomedical Research & Technology, Biomedical Industry and Clinical Practice, and aims to support networking and information sharing - key activities underpinning any integrative/interdisciplinary research community. It is open to all those who have a professional or educational interest in biomedical research & technology.

* [http://www.aneurist.org @neurIST - Integrated Biomedical Informatics for the Management of Cerebral Aneurysms]


<!---Place all category tags here-->
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[[Category:Anatomical simulation]]
[[Category:Health informatics]]
[[Category:Pathology]]
[[Category:Physiology]]
[[Category:Physiology]]
⚫
[[Category:Anatomical simulation]]

Latest revision as of 16:36, 2 February 2024

The Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) is a European initiative that focuses on a methodological and technological framework that, once established, will enable collaborative investigation of the human body as a single complex system.[1][2] The collective framework will make it possible to share resources and observations formed by institutions and organizations, creating disparate but integrated computer models of the mechanical, physical and biochemical functions of a living human body.

VPH is a framework which aims to be descriptive, integrative and predictive.[3][4][5][6] Clapworthy et al. state that the framework should be descriptive by allowing laboratory and healthcare observations around the world "to be collected, catalogued, organized, shared and combined in any possible way."[5] It should be integrative by enabling those observations to be collaboratively analyzed by related professionals in order to create "systemic hypotheses."[5] Finally, it should be predictive by encouraging interconnections between extensible and scalable predictive models and "systemic networks that solidify those systemic hypotheses" while allowing observational comparison.[5]

The framework is formed by large collections of anatomical, physiological, and pathological data stored in digital format, typically by predictive simulations developed from these collections and by services intended to support researchers in the creation and maintenance of these models, as well as in the creation of end-user technologies to be used in the clinical practice. VPH models aim to integrate physiological processes across different length and time scales (multi-scale modelling).[3] These models make possible the combination of patient-specific data with population-based representations. The objective is to develop a systemic approach which avoids a reductionist approach and seeks not to subdivide biological systems in any particular way by dimensional scale (body, organ, tissue, cells, molecules), by scientific discipline (biology, physiology, biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering) or anatomical sub-system (cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, etc.).[5]

History

[edit]

The initial concepts that led to the Virtual Physiological Human initiative came from the IUPS Physiome Project. The project was started in 1997 and represented the first worldwide effort to define the physiome through the development of databases and models which facilitated the understanding of the integrative function of cells, organs, and organisms.[7] The project focused on compiling and providing a central repository of databases that would link experimental information and computational models from many laboratories into a single, self-consistent framework.

Following the launch of the Physiome Project, there were many other worldwide initiatives of loosely coupled actions all focusing on the development of methods for modelling and simulation of human pathophysiology. In 2005, an expert workshop of the Physiome was held as part of the Functional Imaging and Modelling of the Heart Conference in Barcelona where a white paper[8] entitled Towards Virtual Physiological Human: Multilevel modelling and simulation of the human anatomy and physiology was presented. The goal of this paper was to shape a clear overview of on-going relevant VPH activities, to build a consensus on how they can be complemented by new initiatives for researchers in the EU and to identify possible mid-term and long term research challenges.

In 2006, the European Commission funded a coordination and support action entitled STEP: Structuring The EuroPhysiome. The STEP consortium promoted a significant consensus process that involved more than 300 stakeholders including researchers, industry experts, policy makers, clinicians, etc. The prime result of this process was a booklet entitled Seeding the EuroPhysiome: A Roadmap to the Virtual Physiological Human.[6] The STEP action and the resulting research roadmap were instrumental in the development of the VHP concept and in the initiation of much larger process that involves significant research funding, large collaborative projects, and a number of connected initiatives, not only in Europe but also in the United States, Japan, and China.

VPH now forms a core target of the 7th Framework Programme[9] of the European Commission, and aims to support the development of patient-specific computer models and their application in personalised and predictive healthcare.[10] The Virtual Physiological Human Network of Excellence (VPH NoE) aims to connect the various VPH projects within the 7th Framework Programme.

Goals of the initiative

[edit]

VPH-related projects have received substantial funding from the European Commission in order to further scientific progress in this area. The European Commission is insistent that VPH-related projects demonstrate strong industrial participation and clearly indicate a route from basic science into clinical practice.[5] In the future, it is hoped that the VPH will eventually lead to a better healthcare system which aims to produce the following benefits:[6]

  • personalized care solutions
  • reduced need for experiments on animals
  • more holistic approaches to medicine
  • preventative approaches to treatment of disease

Personalized care solutions are a key aim of the VPH, with new modelling environments for predictive, individualized healthcare to result in better patient safety and drug efficacy. It is anticipated that the VPH could also result in healthcare improvement through greater understanding of pathophysiological processes.[3] The use of biomedical data from a patient to simulate potential treatments and outcomes could prevent the patient from experiencing unnecessary or ineffective treatments.[11] The use of in silico (by computer simulation) modelling and testing of drugs could also reduce the need for experiments on animals.

A future goal is that there also will be a more holistic approach to medicine with the body treated as a single multi-organ system rather than as a collection of individual organs. Advanced integrative tools should further help to improve the European healthcare system on a number of different levels that include diagnosis, treatment and care of patients and in particular quality of life.[6]

Projects

[edit]

ImmunoGrid

[edit]

ImmunoGrid is a project funded by the EU under Framework 6, to model and simulate the human immune system using grid computing at different physiological levels.[12]

Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human

[edit]

VPHOP (Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human) is a European Osteoporosis research project within the framework of the Virtual Physiological Human initiative. With current technology, osteoporotic fractures can be predicted with an accuracy of less than 70%. Better ways to prevent and diagnose osteoporotic fractures are needed.

Current fracture predictions are based on history and examination on the basis of which key factors are identified which contribute to the increased probability of an osteoporotic fracture. This approach oversimplifies the mechanisms leading to an osteoporotic fracture and fail to take into account numerous hierarchical factors which are unique to the individual. These factors range from cell-level to body-level functions. Musculoskeletal anatomy and neuromotor control define the daily loading spectrum, including paraphysiological overloading events. Fracture events occur at the organ level and are influenced by the elasticity and geometry of bone elasticity and geometry are determined by tissue morphology. Cell activity changes tissue morphology and composition over time. Constituents of the extracellular matrix are the prime determinants of tissue strength. Accuracy could be dramatically improved if a more deterministic approach was used that accounts for those factors and their variation between individuals.

The goal of the Osteoporotic Virtual Physiological Human is to improve the accuracy of these osteoporotic fracture prediction algorithms.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Clapworthy et al. 2007
  2. ^ According to the STEP research road map Archived August 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c Fenner JW, Brook B, Clapworthy G, Coveney PV, Feipel V, Gregersen H, et al. (2008). "The EuroPhysiome, STEP and a roadmap for the virtual physiological human". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. 366 (1878): 2979–99. Bibcode:2008RSPTA.366.2979F. doi:10.1098/rsta.2008.0089. PMID 18559316. S2CID 1211981.
  4. ^ Viceconti M, Taddei F, Van Sint Jan S, Leardini A, Cristofolini L, Stea S, et al. (2008). "Multiscale modelling of the skeleton for the prediction of the risk of fracture". Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 23 (7): 845–52. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2008.01.009. PMID 18304710.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Clapworthy G, Viceconti M, Coveney PV, Kohl P (2008). "The virtual physiological human: building a framework for computational biomedicine I. Editorial". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. 366 (1878): 2975–8. doi:10.1098/rsta.2008.0103. PMID 18559315.
  6. ^ a b c d STEP research road map Archived August 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Hunter PJ, Borg TK (2003). "Integration from proteins to organs: the Physiome Project". Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 4 (3): 237–43. doi:10.1038/nrm1054. PMID 12612642. S2CID 25185270.
  8. ^ Ayache N, Boissel JP, Brunak S, Clapworthy G, Lonsdale G, Fingberg J, Frangi A, Deco G, Hunter P, Nielsen P, Halstead M, Hose R, Magnin I, Martin-Sanchez F, Sloot P, Kaandorp J, Hoekstra A, Van Sint Jan S, Viceconti M (November 2005). "Towards virtual physiological human: Multilevel modelling and simulation of the human anatomy and physiology" (PDF). edited by DG INFSO & DG JRC.
  9. ^ 7th Framework Programme
  10. ^ Kohl P, Noble D (2009). "Systems biology and the virtual physiological human". Mol Syst Biol. 5 (1): 292. doi:10.1038/msb.2009.51. PMC 2724980. PMID 19638973.
  11. ^ Sadiq SK, Mazzeo MD, Zasada SJ, Manos S, Stoica I, Gale CV, et al. (2008). "Patient-specific simulation as a basis for clinical decision-making". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. 366 (1878): 3199–219. Bibcode:2008RSPTA.366.3199S. doi:10.1098/rsta.2008.0100. PMID 18573758. S2CID 1690327.
  12. ^ "ImmunoGrid - The European virtual human immune system project". European Commission : CORDIS : Projects & Results Service. Retrieved 23 July 2017.

Bibliography

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  • Clapworthy, G., Kohl, P., Gregerson, H., Thomas, S., Viceconti, M., Hose, D., Pinney, D., Fenner, J., McCormack, K., Lawford, P., Van Sint Jan, S., Waters, S., & Coveney, P. 2007, "Digital Human Modelling: A Global Vision and a European Perspective," In Digital Human Modelling: A Global Vision and a European Perspective, Berlin: Springer, pp. 549–558.
  • Hunter, P.J. 2006. Modeling living systems: the IUPS/EMBS Physiome project. Proceedings IEEE, 94, 678-991
  • Viceconti, M., Testi, D., Taddei, F., Martelli, S., Clapworthy, G. J., Van Sint Jan, S., 2006. Biomechanics Modeling of the Musculoskeletal Apparatus: Status and Key Issues. Proceedings of the IEEE 94(4), 725-739.
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