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Multiscale agent-based computer models in skeletal tissue regeneration
Publikationstyp
Book Part
Date Issued
2018
Sprache
English
Author(s)
Start Page
239
End Page
244
Citation
In: Miguel Cerrolaza, Sandra J. Shefelbine, Diego Garzón-Alvarado (Hrsg.): Numerical methods and advanced simulation in biomechanics and biological processes: 239-244 (2018)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
Publisher
Elsevier
ISBN of container
978-0-12-811719-4
978-0-12-811718-7
Bone regeneration is a fascinating process in which, after injury, bone is able to regain full functionality without scar formation. Although the process is successful in most cases, there are conditions in which the bone fails to heal leading to delayed or nonunions (e.g., large segmental defects due to trauma or cancer). The treatment of those conditions remains a clinical challenge; therefore, a full understanding of the regeneration process is needed to develop new treatment strategies. Bone regeneration involves many different processes at multiple length and time scales (intracellular, cellular, tissue, organ). Understanding the process as a whole requires assessing how individual events interact within and across the different scales. Experimental approaches are usually focused on understanding specific processes occurring at a single scale, making it difficult to assess their relevance to the overall process. Computer modeling techniques are a powerful tool to investigate across scales processes. In particular, agent-based modeling approaches are especially well suited to study the bone regeneration response. In this chapter, we describe the main components of agent-based models, how they can be used to investigate bone regeneration at the different time and length scales, and provide simple examples of the integration between the different scales.
Subjects
Agent-based modeling
Bone regeneration
Cellular activity
Extracellular matrix formation
Intracellular modeling
Multiscale
DDC Class
610: Medicine, Health
570: Life Sciences, Biology