MS257 - Multiscale & Multiphysics Approaches in Soft Tissues

Organized by: T. Yuan (Imperial College London, United Kingdom), S. Ardah (Imperial College London, United Kingdom) and M. Wang (Tsinghua University, China)
Keywords: Computational Biomechanics, Image-based Modelling, Multiscale Modelling, Transport Dynamics
A comprehensive understanding of soft tissue biomechanics requires modelling approaches that bridge multiple spatiotemporal scales and simultaneously capture the intricate coupling between mechanical, chemical and biological processes [1]. Conventional models fail to capture this range, offering only partial insight into the complex biophysiochemical interactions governing tissue functions and material behaviour [1]. Nonetheless, advances in high-resolution imaging and physics-based simulations are on a promising trajectory to bridge this gap [2]. This minisymposium will provide a cohesive forum to showcase cutting-edge pipelines that integrate image-derived multiscale tissue structures with coupled biochemical and biophysical simulations. Key themes include: (1) modelling fluid and mass transport in complex biological systems (e.g. brains, tumours); (2) reconstructing patient-specific tissue architectures across scales from imaging data for numerical modelling; and (3) linking cellular biophysiochemical processes to tissue and organ scale functions. The objectives are: (1) present cutting-edge computational strategies that address the length- and time-scale bottlenecks in biomechanics and clinical modelling; (2) accelerate the deployment of image-based high-fidelity simulations in, e.g. tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and biomedical device design; and (3) catalyse meaningful cross-disciplinary collaboration across various disciplines. The organisers’ complementary expertise will create a unique forum at the interface of biomechanics and hybrid-scale modelling. Dr. Tian Yuan integrates computational biomechanics with medical imaging and clinical translation; Dr. Suhaib Ardah investigates interfacial fluid-structure dynamics in soft matter; and Prof. Moran Wang is a pioneering figure in multiscale transport and porous flow modelling. Through active discussion and knowledge exchange, participants will gain valuable insights into current challenges and opportunities for translating multiscale & multiphysics biomechanics modelling to clinical applications. References [1] S.Y. Sun, H. Zhang, et al., and X.Q. Feng, Bio-chemo-mechanical coupling models of soft biological materials: A review. Advances in Applied Mechanics, 55, (2022) 09-392. [2] T. Yuan, N. Pecco, et al., and D. Dini, Decoding brain interstitial transport in vivo: A fully validated bottom-up mechanistic prediction framework. BioRxiv, (2025), 2025-03.