A framework for the in silico modeling and investigation of time dependent photobiophysical phenomena

对光(辐射)入射对植物和人类组织的有益和有害影响的预测评估，从光合作用到癌症的发展，具有基本的重要性，因为它可以用于改善人类和动物的生活质量，并为全球范围内的环境问题提供替代办法。这项研究计划的目的是为这样的评估开辟新的天地。它将通过对自然材料中导致外观变化的依赖于时间的光生物物理现象的预测性模拟，扩展真实图像合成的边界。由紫外线辐射引发的皮肤相关过程，如晒黑、老化和皮损形成，就是这种现象的例子。在这些情况下，可以使用外观变化的模拟来辅助皮肤病的预防、诊断和治疗。在营养和水分胁迫下观察到的植物叶片的颜色变化也是这种现象的例子。在这些情况下，“虚拟”实验可以针对不同的农业战略提供可靠的反馈，可用于应对这些不利条件和提高作物产量。一旦计算机模拟框架被设计并通过合理的科学方法论验证，如本研究计划所建议的那样，它就可以用于对通过传统实验程序无法完全研究的现象的“电子”调查。因此，它可用于辅助不同科学领域的研究的假设生成和验证周期。因此，拟议的模拟框架将有助于生物医学光学、生物物理皮肤学和遥感等领域的跨学科研究工作，除了通过设计预测算法生成描绘随时间变化的外观变化的真实图像之外，还将对计算机图形学做出基本贡献，此外，该研究计划可能会导致创新技术的出现(例如，用于非侵入性诊断医疗条件的新设备)以及政府为生态问题制定政策和为新的防护材料制定测试协议。

The predictive assessment of the beneficial and harmful effects of light (radiation) incidence on plant and human tissues, from photosynthesis to the development of cancer, is of fundamental importance since it can be used to improve the quality of human and animal life and to provide alternatives for environmental problems on a global scale. The purpose of this research program is to break new ground toward such an assessment. It will expand the boundaries of realistic image synthesis through the predictive simulation of time dependent photobiophysical phenomena responsible for appearance changes in natural materials. Skin related processes, such as tanning, aging and lesion formation, triggered by ultraviolet radiation are examples of such phenomena. In these cases, the simulation of appearance changes may be used to assist the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases. Color changes observed in plant leaves under nutrient and water stress are also examples of such phenomena. In these cases, "virtual" experiments can provide reliable feedback with respect to different agricultural strategies that can be applied to cope with these adverse conditions and improve crop production. Once a computer simulation framework is designed and validated through a sound scientific methodology, as proposed in this research program, it can be employed in the "in silico" investigation of phenomena that cannot be fully studied through traditional experimental procedures. Accordingly, it can be used to assist in the hypothesis generation and validation cycles of research in different scientific domains. Hence, the proposed simulation framework will contribute to interdisciplinary research efforts in fields such as biomedical optics, biophysical dermatology and remote sensing, in addition to fundamental contributions to computer graphics through the design of predictive algorithms for the generation of realistic images depicting time dependent appearance changes, Furthermore, this research program may lead to the emergence of innovative technologies (e.g., new devices for the noninvasive diagnostic of medical conditions) as well as the establishment of government policies for ecological issues and testing protocols for new protective materials.