Imaging in population science and digital twinning for precision cardiology

The talk will be held jointly with Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kozerke

Population-scale imaging studies, utilising non-invasive modalities such as MRI, provide critical insights into cardiovascular structure, function, and subclinical disease phenotypes across diverse demographics. These large datasets enable researchers to uncover novel biomarkers, model disease trajectories, and assess genetic and environmental risk factors with unprecedented granularity. By linking imaging data to clinical records, genomics, and lifestyle information, population science lays the foundation for predictive and preventive strategies in cardiovascular care as highlighted by the numerous landmark studies of the UK Imaging Biobank.  

Based on the successes of the UK imaging biobank, PHRT SwissHeart is leveraging population-scale imaging to derive functional and personalized digital twin hearts, thereby boosting the capacity for disease detection and prediction based on mechanistic and statistical/ML modelling. These digital twins are tailored not only to current health status and data, but will also permit improved projections of pathways of disease progression as well as restoration of health in the individual subject. It is the dynamic integration and augmentation of patient’s data that constitutes a key element of precision medicine as it will be highlighted in the talk.