In Silico Trials, Real Impacts!

• Digital Twins & Virtual Patients: Revolutionising Paediatric Clinical Trials

  Join us for an eye-opening exploration of how virtual patient data is revolutionising paediatric clinical trials. In our upcoming episode, we delve into groundbreaking research that addresses one of healthcare's most pressing challenges: the power crisis plaguing paediatric randomised controlled trials. Discover how digital twins, synthetic patient data, and in silico trials are offering unprecedented solutions to reduce children's exposure to unproven therapies whilst accelerating drug approvals. We'll examine the transformative potential of these technologies in creating personalised treatment options at significantly lower costs, ultimately leading to faster clinical implementation of life-saving interventions. However, innovation comes with responsibility. Our discussion critically evaluates the ethical and regulatory frameworks necessary to ensure safe, sustainable adoption of virtual patient data in paediatric medicine. Join our interactive webinar to engage directly with experts and explore how these digital innovations are shaping the future of children's healthcare. Source: Pammi M, Shah PS, Yang LK, Hagan J, Aghaeepour N, Neu J. Digital twins, synthetic patient data, and in-silico trials: can they empower paediatric clinical trials? Lancet Digit Health. 2025      

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• Beyond the Scalpel: How Computer Models Are Rewriting Paediatric Heart Surgery

  This episode explores groundbreaking research from Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School that demonstrates how multiphysiologic state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling is transforming surgical planning for children with complex congenital heart conditions. We delve into the innovative 3D virtual surgery workflow developed for patients with single ventricle physiology and interrupted inferior vena cava - a particularly challenging combination that historically carries high risks of life-threatening complications. The research team's approach utilises advanced CFD analysis across multiple physiological states to predict and optimise hepatic venous flow distribution, preventing the formation of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations that can prove fatal in these vulnerable young patients. The episode examines how this in silico methodology successfully translates virtual surgical planning into real-world clinical outcomes, validated through post-operative MRI imaging. We discuss the broader implications for personalised paediatric medicine, the potential for reducing surgical revisions, and how computational modelling is enabling surgeons to achieve balanced blood flow patterns that were previously difficult to predict using traditional planning methods. This case study exemplifies the transformative potential of digital health technologies in paediatric care, showcasing how sophisticated computational tools can directly improve surgical outcomes and quality of life for children with complex cardiac conditions. Source: Hoganson DM, Govindarajan V, Schulz NE, Eickhoff ER, Breitbart RE, Marx GR, Del Nido PJ, Hammer PE. Multiphysiologic State Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling for Planning Fontan With Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava. JACC Adv. 2024 Jun 13;3(7):101057.      

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• Future-Proofing the UK Life Sciences Sector

  Are you prepared for the seismic shift transforming UK life sciences careers? This latest "In Silico Trials, Real Impacts!" episode reveals how AI and in silico technologies are creating unprecedented employment opportunities across health tech sectors.  Discover the essential skills driving this revolution, from computational biology to digital therapeutics, and why lifelong learning has become non-negotiable. We examine the geographical spread of emerging roles and explore how international talent maintains Britain's competitive advantage in global markets. What does this transformation mean for traditional biologists, chemists, and clinicians as digital tools reshape their practice? How are government initiatives preparing the next generation for these evolving demands?  Uncover the real-world implications for patient care and economic growth in this data-driven analysis of our industry's future. Sources: Lightcast (2024), The UK Skills Revolution: Building a Data-Driven Skills System in an Era of Disruption https://lightcast.io/resources/research/uk-skills-revolution-25 Lightcast, ABHI, ABPI, and BIA (2025) Life Sciences 2035: Developing the Skills for Future Growth https://www.abpi.org.uk/publications/life-sciences-2035-developing-the-skills-for-future-growth-main-report/      

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• Exploring the Limitations and Potentials of RCTs: Beyond the Gold Standard

  Are Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) always the definitive 'gold standard' in research? In the latest episode of In Silico Trials, Real Impacts!, we explore the nuanced landscape of RCTs, questioning their universal applicability and examining the complexities they often obscure. While RCTs are celebrated for their rigour, this discussion delves into their limitations, particularly when findings are applied across diverse contexts. Drawing on seminal work by Deaton and Cartwright (2018), this episode highlights the critical role that RCTs play in the medical and social sciences, while underscoring the importance of complementing them with observational studies and theoretical frameworks. Ethical considerations and the need for a more integrated approach to research take centre stage, offering a fresh perspective on evidence generation. Whether you're a researcher, healthcare professional, or simply curious about scientific methodologies, this episode provides thought-provoking insights into the evolving landscape of research. Source: Deaton A, Cartwright N. Understanding and misunderstanding randomized controlled trials. Soc Sci Med. 2018 Aug;210:2-21.      

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• Simpler or Complex: Rethinking Occam's Razor in Modelling Science

  Is simplicity always the smartest choice in science? Or could complexity be the key to groundbreaking discoveries? This episode explores the evolving role of simplicity and complexity in scientific modelling, questioning the age-old principle of Occam's razor in light of modern advancements: Plurality should not be posited without necessity.  Discover how digital approaches, from computational modelling to simulated clinical trials, are reshaping medical product development, making healthcare safer, more efficient, and unexpectedly precise. As we journey through recent research and breakthroughs, you'll gain insights into the tension between simple and complex scientific models, and how they impact the healthcare landscape. Whether you're a researcher, regulator, patient representative, or just curious about the future of medicine, this episode unpacks the concept of parsimony and its implications, especially as technology progresses. Learn about the balance between simplicity and complexity and how they complement each other as tools in science.   Source: Dubova M, Chandramouli S, Gigerenzer G, Grünwald P, Holmes W, Lombrozo T, Marelli M, Musslick S, Nicenboim B, Ross LN, Shiffrin R, White M, Wagenmakers EJ, Bürkner PC, Sloman SJ. Is Ockham's razor losing its edge? New perspectives on the principle of model parsimony. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Feb 4;122(5):e2401230121.            

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