Center for Computational Medicine

Center for Computational Medicine

School of Medicine & Pharmacology, and

Faculty of Engineering, Computing & Mathematics

W/Prof Hugh Barrett

How to tackle the challenge of complex biological systems

“Perhaps a proper understanding of the complex regulatory networks making up cellular systems like the cell cycle will require a shift from common sense thinking. We might need to move into a strange more abstract world, more readily analysable in terms of mathematics”

Sir Paul Nurse The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2001

Integrative methods, large amounts of relevant data

Rationale for a Center on Computational Medicine

• Systems Biology & Computational Biology push in

the US and Europe

– EU Virtual Physiological Human Project

– NIH NIGMS Systems Biology

• $100m Victorian Life Science Computational Initiative

NIH NIGMS

Rationale for a Center on Computational Medicine

• Opportunity to Value-Add to ongoing research

– Application of engineering and mathematics to medicine

(and biology)

• Provide insight into complex biology using a variety of

computational tools

• Development of new testable hypotheses

– Integral in new grant applications

– Simulation of systems

Bone loss

Normal

• Bring greater engagement of computational methods to

medical and biological research

• Focus on quantitative, systems analysis of cells, tissues

and organs in normal and disease states

CCM - Purpose of the Centre

Modeling bone deposition and resorption

• Motivation is to translate new findings and insights into

improved patient care through the integration of data and

knowledge

– Knowledge of a system and how it responds to

intervention

CCM - Purpose of the Centre

Model of lipoprotein metabolism in obesity

FDA approved Metabolic Simulator

• Operate across FECM and

FMDHS, but would also include

collaborators from other faculties

• Collaborate outside of UWA at

national and international level

– NHMRC support

• Strong collaborative track record

– Publications and grants

CCM - Purpose of the Centre

High density lipoprotein model

Currently held competitive funding

2009-2011 ARC-DP Engineering cartilage homeostasis in health and disease $230,000

ARC-DP Multiscale modeling of transport through deformable porous materials $450,000

NHMRC Simulations of colon cancer $528,000

NHMRC Regulating fluid mechanics to improve outcomes for glaucoma surgery $269,000

PCCA Prostate metatasis to bone $280,000

NHMRC Reducing CVD risk in the metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes: Novel

approaches to studies of lipoprotein metabolism $527,725

NHMRC Therapeutic regulation of hepatic steatosis and lipid transport in the metabolic

syndrome $501,775

2010-2012 NHMRC Hypoxia is the common pathway to renal failure $478,000

2011-2014 ARC Linkage Bioengineered scaffolds for Achilles tendopathy treatment $840,000

2011-2015 NHMRC Senior Research Fellow

2012-2014 NHMRC Niacin lowers Lp(a) concentrations in type 2 diabetes $394,920

2012-2014 NHMRC Regulation of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism in familial

hypercholesterolaemia $594,770

2012-2014 NHMRC Investigating the roles of the wnt and notch signalling systems in colon cancer

crypt biology $548,675

CCM Main Activities

CCM

Core

&

Assoc

Computational

Methods

Outreach

Programs

Collaboration

PG

Training

Postdocs PhD students PG courses

Symposia Modeling workshops

New algorithms Software tools

Value-add Integral to research

Members of CCM

W/Prof David Smith Dr Stefan Scheiner

W/Prof Hugh Barrett Dr Edward Green

A/Prof Bruce Gardiner Dr Richard van der Wath

A/Prof Peter Pivonka Ms Sarah Thompson

Dr Pascal Bünzli

Dr John Davidson

Priorities for the future

• Seek additional strategic collaborative opportunities

– Value-add to existing research projects

– Partner with collaborators on ARC/NHMRC

project/program and center grants

• Formalize the Center for Computational Medicine within

UWA (UWA OPP Bioengineering & Bio-imaging)

– Seek management support

– Seek additional space and PhD students

• Co-localization within medical institutes

– Develop strategy for education and training

– Expand number of associated members to increase

expertise and capability

Priorities for the future

• Establish national and international profile

– Maintain and develop new national and international

collaborations

– Be productive

– Attract PG students and staff

– Run symposia (Outreach program)

• 2011 Cartilage and Bone Research

• 2012 Computational Systems Biology

• Modeling workshops

• Prepare bid for a National Center

Center for Computational Medicine

• Contacts

– David Smith 6488 5531 David.Smith@uwa.edu.au

– Hugh Barrett 6488 3459 Hugh.Barrett@uwa.edu.au

• Location

– Computer Science and Software Engineering Building,

M002