Computational Modelling of Pharmaceutical Interventions for the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury

"Acute Lung Injury (ALI) is a serious condition characterised by both generalised lung inflammation and specific disruption of the epithelial membrane - thus leading to pulmonary oedema, impaired gas exchange, and respiratory distress. While ALI can be precipitated by a number of factors, interest in ALIs arising from Primary Blast Lung Injury (PBLI) and Chemical Lung Injury (CLI) is particularly high, given PBLIs and CLIs are increasingly common features of military conflict and terrorist attacks on civilian populations.
Unfortunately, due to the unpredictable nature of human lung injury arising from either blast or toxic chemical exposure, clinical studies in relevant patient populations are practically impossible. As such, much research to date relies on the use of rodent and large animal models; with large animal models becoming noticeably popular in recent years. Such models have questionable applicability to humans, however, and it has been acknowledged that no single animal model can accurately replicate the numerous complex physiological changes associated with ALI. Other elements of animal model use are also contentious, such as the very real possibility of results being confounded by the significant doses of anaesthetic agents required to undertake such research.
We will develop a comprehensive computational model of ALI arising from PBLIs and CLIs which will include the ability to model the effects of pharmacological treatments. This model will allow the efficacy of drug treatments for ALIs resulting from PBLI and CLI to be tested by virtual clinical trials, thus reducing the need for animal testing during initial stages of investigation."