Conference Agenda

Multicellular simulations or Virtual Tissues (VTs) can help us understanding complex biological phenomena, from tissue development to disease progression. But the complexity of biomimetic models and the diversity in simulation methods, poses challenges in reproducibility, modularity, reusability, and integration within complex multicomponent models like medical digital twins (MDTs).\nThis workshop aims to outline the potential and workflows to create multicellular, multiscale tissue models (VTs) using the open-source platform Compucell3D.

Since its publication in 2018, the ASME V&V 40 standard ”Assessing Credibility of Computational Modeling and Simulation Results through Verification and Validation: Application to Medical Devices“ has seen steadily increasing adoption by the simulation community. This adoption has demonstrated the strength and utility of the risk-informed credibility assessment framework in supporting credible uses of computational modeling and simulation within the medical device space, as well as challenges to its practical implementation. The goals of this workshop are twofold: (1) Showcase emerging concepts that are intended to refine/augment the core V&V40 standard, and provide advanced notice to planned revisions to the standard; and (2) Engage in a critical dissection of several contemporary case studies, with the aim of answering ‘how good is good enough?’

Computational models have considerable potential in the healthcare ecosystem, from streamlining the development of new medicines to enabling a true personalisation of clinical procedures and treatments. This workshop will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, industry and researchers, to open a discussion on how to fully harness the potential of this technology in the healthcare ecosystem.

The aim of the workshop is to introduce PhD students and early-career researchers to New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and their application in implementing the 3Rs principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine animal models) in biomedical research and regulatory settings, with an emphasis on replacement. Through a combination of lectures and interactive discussions, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how in silico and in vitro NAMs can be used to replace animal testing and provide improved biological knowledge relevant to the human health. By reflecting on the potential of NAMs in their own research, participants will be encouraged to integrate these innovative approaches into their work, ultimately contributing to more humane, efficient, and effective biomedical research and regulatory applications.