Model Systems for Human Disease and Medicine: From Advanced Cell and Tissue Culture to In Silico Methods

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in the understanding and treatment of human diseases, whether of unknown (idiopathic) or known origin, are increasingly reliant upon non-animal laboratory-based modelling of cell and tissue biology as well as contributing risk factors. Notwithstanding the many different approaches to modelling, ranging from in vitro-engineered and patient-derived three-dimensional (3D) cell and tissue culture systems (e.g., bioprinted, organoid, cell-on-a-chip) to in silico (computer-based) methods that leverage data from real patients (e.g., genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, pharmacologic, and clinical trials data), an effective model must accurately recapitulate or simulate complex higher-level physiological and pathological aspects of human biology, including therapeutic response in a representative context (i.e., environment). By doing so, biological processes are being identified that are specific to human pathobiology and treatment response, unable to be modelled in a classical animal system. Modelling can be especially important for rare diseases with small patient populations, where both live cell/tissue-based and in silico methods provide scientifically robust frameworks for assessing disease mechanisms and treatment efficacy where it may not be feasible to conduct a clinical trial requiring actual patients only.

This Special Issue will provide a forum to discuss and reflect on the latest progress in laboratory-based modelling for human disease and medicine, ranging from advanced cell and tissue culture to in silico methods, including but not limited to the topics of disease cell and tissue (e.g., developmental, degenerative, cancer, etc.); tissue specific stem cell; native or induced pluripotent stem cell; organoid; cell- and organ-on-a-chip technologies; and cell, gene, and drug therapy. A wide range of contributions are therefore encouraged, including original research reports, review articles, and perspective articles to summarize and reflect on the progress for a specific topic.

We look forward to your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jeremy Micah Crook
Guest Editor

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