The GIOME: Concept and current role in gastrointestinal tract studies

Abstract

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The goal of the Physiome Project is to understand and describe the physiology and pathophysiology of the human organism. Multiscale mathematical and computer models are developed within this concept to help understand human health. From its beginning about 15 years ago, most of the focus has been in the cardiac field (the Cardiome project) but other areas are developing as well now.

Gastroenterology research has traditionally been based on experimental approaches rather than on mathematical modeling. However, in the past five to ten years several groups independently started to model the gastrointestinal tract and Gregersen introduced the term “GIOME” a couple of years ago (Gregersen H. The Giome Project. Neurogastroenterol Motility 2006; 18:401-402, http://www.giome.com). Thus, the Physiome based GIOME project is a very new concept in gastroenterology. The purpose is to facilitate modeling of physiological and pathophysiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a framework that allows experts from a variety of disciplines to work collaboratively to database and analyze observations and models. GIOME work so far has been on the mechanics and electromechanical properties at the tissue and organ level based on medical imaging and other highly advanced techniques. However, the long-term goal is to develop integrative models at all levels of gastrointestinal organization from the genes through regulatory pathways to the whole gastrointestinal tract function. Such models will have applications not only in research but also in teaching, training, development of medical devices and in clinical work. Models span from simple analytical computations to advanced multiscale models that need input and validation from highly skilled experimental work.

This special issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology contains a number of reviews and original papers related to the GIOME Project from the majority of the active groups in this field. The studies represent bioengineering models, primarily anatomical, functional and pathophysiological models, from most parts of the gastrointestinal tract. By publishing such a special issue we hope to increase the awareness of GIOME related research and to stimulate further research and collaboration in this area. The GIOME Project together with other European Physiome groups recently received funding from the European Union to develop a Strategy for the EuroPhysiome. It is the hope that this will facilitate further funding from the European Union and major funding agencies around the World to nurse this important effort.

1335    Function of longitudinal vs circular muscle fibers in esophageal peristalsis, deduced with mathematical modeling Brasseur JG, Nicosia MA, Pal A, Miller LS

1347      The oesophageal zero-stress state and mucosal folding from a GIOME perspective Liao D, Zhao J, Yang J, Gregersen H

1352  Finite element simulation of food transport through the esophageal body Yang W, Fung TC, Chian KS, Chong CK

1360   Computation of flow through the oesophagogastric junction McMahon BP, Odie KD, Moloney KW, Gregerse H

1365   Mechanics of flow and mixing at antroduodenal junction Dillard S, Krishnan S, Udaykumar HS

1372  Using computed tomography scans to develop an ex-vivo gastric model Henry JA, O’Sullivan G, Pandit AS

1378    Anatomically realistic multiscale models of normal and abnormal gastrointestinal electrical activity Cheng LK, Komuro R, Austin TM, Buist ML, Pullan AJ

1384   On the mechanical behavior of the human biliary system Luo X, Li W, Bird N, Chin SB, Hill NA, Johnson AG

1393  A framework for the modeling of gut blood flow regulation and postprandial hyperaemia Jeays AD, Lawford PV, Gillott R, Spencer PA, Bardhan KD, Hose DR

1399 Towards a multiscale model of colorectal cancer van Leeuwen IMM, Edwards CM, Ilyas M, Byrne HMr

1408   Advanced imaging and visualization in gastrointestinal disorders Gilja OH, Hatlebakk JG, Ødegaard S, Berstad A, Viola I, Giertsen C, Hausken T, Gregersen H