Biomed 2009

Eighth International Conference on Modelling in Medicine and Biology

pcr.jpg26 - 28 May, 2009
Royal Mare Village, Crete

 Overview & Opening Address

biomed09.jpg The 8th International Conference on Modelling in Medicine and Biology (Biomed 2009) took place recently in Crete, organised by the Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT).

Considerable advances have been made in computational modelling of complex problems in biomedicine, as demonstrated by the continuous success of this international conference.  The series began in Southampton (1991); followed by one in Bath (1993) and others in Milano (1995); Acquasparta (1997); Ljubljana (2003); Bologna (2005); and the New Forest (2007).

Professor Carlos Brebbia, Director of Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT) opened the conference by saying that advances in medical and biological technology are due to the increasing interaction and collaboration between medical and engineering scientists.  Computer models which have successfully been developed to represent a series of biomedical systems are now being increasingly used for a wide range of applications ranging from cardiovascular modelling to virtual reality and simulation in surgery.

bio_pcr2.jpgProfessor Brebbia also referred to recent developments at WIT and in particular the decision to promote the electronic version of all books worldwide.  This led to WIT Press, the Institute’s Academic Publisher, finalising a series of agreements with major online distributors around the world.  This development, combined with the increased popularity of the WIT eLibrary will see that the papers presented at WIT conferences are well known and recognised throughout the world.

Professor Brebbia also reminded the authors of the possibility of submitting an extended version of the paper for possible publication in the International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics, now in its fourth year of publication.  The Journal has specialised in high quality papers.

Advances in medical and biological technology are due to the increasing interaction and collaboration between medial and engineering scientists.  Computer models which have been successfully developed to represent a series of biomedical systems are now becoming increasingly used for a wide range of applications ranging from cardiovascular modelling to virtual reality and simulation in surgery.

 Conference Sessions

bio_pcr.jpgThe conference attracted a series of outstanding contributions classified under the following topics:

  • Cardiovascular systems
  • Computational fluid mechanics
  • Biomechanics
  • Physiological processes
  • Data acquisition and analysis
  • Virtual reality in medicine

 Invited Presentations

The meeting was enhanced by a series of invited presentations:

  • “Biomechanical consideration for dorsal-lumbar and lumbar sagittal spine disorders” by C Bignardi, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • “Stress-strain analysis in the human stomach” by R Miftahof, Arabian Gulf University of Science and Technology, Korea
  • “Equivalence of two approaches to study the stress-strain relation in the myocardium” by R.M. Shoucri, Royal Military College, Canada
  • “The variation of dobutamine induced heart stress with heart rate” by A.K. Macpherson, Lehigh University, USA
  • “Prediction of stent endflare, arterial stresses and flow patterns in a stenotic artery” by M.R. Hyre, Virginia Military Institute, USA
  • “Comparison of blood flow patters in cerebral aneurysms” by K. Shimano, Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
  • “Time-frequency analysis of forearm flexors mechanomyogram acquired from an acoustical sensor based system” by S. Mekaoui, ICPTS, USTHB, Algeria
  • “The human body exposed to a magnetotherapy device magnetic field”, by D. Poljak, University of Split, Croatia
  • “An internal examination training system supporting abnormal labor conditions” by A. Doi, IWATE Prefectural University, Japan

The delegates had ample opportunity for interaction during the meeting during the refreshments breaks, at lunch time and during the conference banquet, in addition to those who participated in a series of excursions.

 International Scientific Advisory Committee

The Conference Committee met to discuss how the Conference could be improved in 2011 and to discuss the topics to be covered.  A series of new names were put forward for the International Scientific Advisory Committee.

 International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics

An important discussion took place involving the authors selected for contributing a paper for the special issue on Biomedical problems to be edited for the International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics.  The different contributions were discussed and deadlines agreed in order to see the material published as soon as possible.  The Journal, which is becoming increasingly well known, has attracted high quality papers and the editors are anxious to maintain these high standards.

 Conference Dinner

bio_pcr3.jpgThe Conference Dinner took place in a taverna in the grounds of the hotel and conference centre complex.  The excellent dishes were accompanied by good Cretan wines.  They enjoyed the music of a bouzuki ensemble and the performance of a folkloric dance troupe that offered numbers from different parts of Greece, as well as the distinctive Cretan dances.  Delegates were also able to learn and enjoy the pleasure of Greek dancing at the end.

A special excursion to Heraklion took place at the end of the conference.  A professional guide explained some of the unique heritage of the town.  At the end, the participants were offered dinner at a typical Greek taverna in town.

 Registration Information

The success of the Conference will ensure that the meeting is reconvened in 2011, the date and location of which will be shortly decided.

 Publication of Papers

bio_book.jpgThe proceedings of Modelling in Medicine and Biology VIII, 352pp (Print ISBN: 1-84564-183-2; Online ISBN 1-84564-360-7; Print ISSN 1747-4485) are available in hard back from WIT Press priced at £133/US$239/€169.  Orders can be placed by telephone: +44 (0) 238 029 3223, fax: +44 (0) 238 029 2853, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the WIT Press web site at www.witpress.com.

Papers from the conference will also be hosted online at the WIT eLibrary as Volume 13 of WIT Transactions on Biomedicine and Health (Online ISSN: 1743-3525). For more details visit the WIT eLibrary at http://library.witpress.com.