Multiscale Modeling of the Skeletal System

Systematically working from the whole body down to cellular levels, this book presents a multiscale, integrative approach to skeletal research.

Marco Viceconti (Author)

9780521769501, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 December 2011

222 pages, 40 b/w illus.
25.5 x 18.1 x 1.6 cm, 0.6 kg

'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

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.

1. Introduction
2. Methodological aspects
3. The body level
4. Organ level: the bones
5. Tissue level: mineralised extracellular matrix
6. Cells level: cells-matrix interaction
7. Applications of multiscale modeling
8. Multiscale modeling
Index.

Subject Areas: Testing of materials [TGMT], Stress & fracture [TGMD5], Dynamics & vibration [TGMD4], Mechanics of solids [TGMD], Mechanical engineering & materials [TG], Human biology [PSX], Therapy & therapeutics [MMZ], Rheumatology [MJM]