Multiscale in silico models to simulate cancer mechano-biology from the organ scale to the cell scale
During the last two decades, in silico modelling is becoming increasingly useful in cancer research by aiding biological experiments, making quantitative and testable predictions of cancer pathophysiology, generating, and testing new hypotheses as well as proposing new guidelines against neoplasia.
In this talk I will outline our research work in in silico multiscale modelling methods. We have been developing cancer models that span from cell scale biomechanics to extracellular matrix micro-mechanics and soft tissue (macro-)mechanobiology, from macro- to micro-fluid flow mechanics, avascular and vascularised tumour growth, tumour-induced angiogenesis, and the transport of cytotoxics. I will present our efforts to theoretically investigate dynamic changes of the tumour–host microenvironment, the capacity of the in silico to simulate drug delivery in animal models. In addition, I will briefly share some ideas for future research and how to aggregate spatiotemporally varying information in such models.