Chic

Abstract

The impressive rate of the generation of human biological data during the last decades has dictated the development of numerous statistical, computational and mathematical methods in order to extract, analyze and exploit the hidden wealth of information. Unquestionably systems biology has been established as a key player in this arena. Nevertheless, in order for models generally developed by different modelers or modeling groups to be reusable, there are a number of prerequisites that have to be satisfied. Models should be robust, reproducible and interoperable. This implies that standardization of model description and operation is a sine qua non if rational, coherent and comprehensive exploitation of the invaluable information hidden within human multiscale biological data is envisaged. CHIC is therefore motivated to responding to this imperative in the context of both the broad (VPH) initiative and the paradigmatic cancer domain, In order to ensure clinical relevance and foster clinical acceptance of hypermodeling in the future, the whole endeavor will be driven by the clinical partners of the consortium in practice. Cancer hypermodels to be collaboratively developed by the consortium cancer modelers will provide the framework and the testbed for the development of the CHIC technologies. Clinical adaptation and partial clinical validation of hypermodels and hypermodel oncosimulators will be undertaken.