Computational modelling in liver system and liver disease

Abstract The liver, our body’s chemical factory, is central to metabolism, homeostasis, and detoxification. The advent of systems biology and computational modelling has revolutionised our understanding of the liver system and its diseases. This chapter focuses on the application of computational modelling, specifically a kinetic model of fructose metabolism, to explore the relationship between fructose and liver disease progression. We begin by reviewing the fundamental aspects of liver anatomy and physiology, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion on the alarming crisis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Through a specific case study, we provide insights into the metabolic events triggered by fructose intake and illustrate how computational models can predict disease progression and identify potential therapeutic targets, paving the way for personalised treatment plans. The chapter concludes by discussing the challenges and future directions in the field, emphasising the transformative potential of engineering principles in medicine.