Expanding knowledge of uterine electrophysiology

This project brought together experimental, clinical, and computational expertise to advance understanding of uterine smooth-muscle function. By combining electrical and mechanical measurements with mathematical modelling, the team explored how cellular-level processes contribute to tissue- and organ-level activity in the uterus.

Non-invasive electrical-measurement technologies were developed to help identify and potentially prevent a range of uterine function issues.

In-vivo electrophysiological measurements were performed to provide reference data for computational models and to validate non-invasive human techniques. These studies captured both surface and internal organ electrical activity, supported by scans describing the body surface, uterine anatomy, and internal contents.

The resulting datasets informed computational models designed to capture and predict uterine electrical and mechanical activation patterns.

By integrating experimental, imaging, and computational data, the project built databases and modelling tools capable of rapidly representing the unique anatomy and electrical activity of individual patients. These resources enabled:

• Non-invasive surface scans of uterine electrical activity.
• Internal imaging to extend general anatomical scaffolds into personalised organ models.
• Computational simulations to predict individual uterine behaviour.
• Clinician-ready databases and interfaces for diagnostic and predictive workflows.

These developments aimed to allow clinicians and patients to track pregnancy-related issues and identify abnormalities using rapid, non-invasive methods.

At the cellular level, smooth-muscle cells (uSMCs) were a primary focus. The team developed a fast and accurate electrico-mechanical model of uSMC activity, released openly through the Physiome Repository.

Based on a publication in PLOS Computational Biology, a simplified uSMC model was also made available via the OpenCOR simulation environment, allowing researchers to simulate electrical input and response dynamics in uterine tissue.

Together, these models contributed to a growing framework for whole-organ simulations, linking fundamental cellular mechanisms with large-scale uterine behaviour and enabling prediction of potential physiological issues before they arise.