While some research areas look at one body system, the integrated human function program takes a more holistic approach. Its goal is nothing less than understanding how the body works, from molecules to entire body systems. Having a digital human would allow researchers to predict potential problems, simulate health conditions and allow researchers to predict problems. UW alumnus Michael Anderson, '81. The team is beginning its modeling in studies of cardiac and skeletal muscle.
Scientists know that the protein myosin is the main molecular motor of muscle.
And scientists know a lot about muscle mechanics and blood flow. What's missing is a solid model of the connections in between. We will build a model, from molecules to the larger structure, of the muscle. White compares the digital human approach to a famous scene from the movie Apollo 13 . The astronauts faced problems removing carbon dioxide after an accident forced them to live in the lunar module.