Computer simulations of the hydrodynamics within the human gastrointestinal tract

目标：这个PHD项目将开发一个计算机模型，描述由各种运动事件引起的结肠内粘性液体的运动，如混合(分段)和其弹性壁的周期性收缩(蠕动)。问题。就药物吸收而言，结肠是研究最少的GI区域，但对于口服制剂来说，结肠吸收是唯一真正增加剂量间隔的机会。然而，结肠吸收的程度和重要性很难预测，因为转运时间和渗透率高度可变；缺乏关于液体流动的知识，也缺乏体内预测模型。这种方法。如今，数学建模和计算机模拟已经成为医学中一种有价值的研究工具。硅内模型越来越支持传统的体内和体外模型，以实现对许多生理和生物力学现象的更好理解。此外，机械模型(PBPK)对药物开发做出了重大贡献，它必须成为制药行业向监管机构(FDA)应用的一部分。在这个项目中，成功的候选人将基于一种称为离散多物理的新建模技术建立结肠的计算机模型[1]。该模型将用于研究结肠内的流体力学和传质过程，从而更深入地了解药物在该器官中的吸收机制。

The objective.This PhD project will develop a computer model that describes the motion of viscous fluids in the colon caused by various motility events such as mixing (segmentation) and periodic contractions of its flexible walls (peristalsis).The problem.The colon is the least researched GI region in terms of drug absorption, yet for orally administered formulations, colonic absorption represents the only real opportunity to increase the interval between doses. The extent and importance of colonic absorption are, however, difficult to predict due to the highly variable transit time and permeability; lack of knowledge on fluid flow and a lack of in vivo predictive models. The approach. Nowadays, mathematical modelling and computer simulations have become a valuable investigation tool in medicine. In-silico models are increasingly supporting traditional in-vivo and in-vitro models to achieve a better understanding of many physiological and biomechanics phenomena. In addition, mechanistic models (PBPK) have significantly contributed on drug development and it's required to be part of applications of pharmaceutical industries to regulatory bodies (FDA). During this project, the successful candidate will set up a computer model of the colon based on a novel modelling technique called Discrete Multi-Physics [1]. The model will be used to investigate the hydrodynamics and the mass transfer in the colon gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of drug absorption in this organ.