Aim & Scope
The Journal of Medical Physics & Biophysics Simulations aims to advance the understanding and application of physical and computational modelling in biological systems and clinical medicine. The journal provides a dedicated forum for publishing original research, applied methods, and critical reviews that reflect the growing role of simulation and computational tools in medical diagnostics, therapy planning, device development, and biological system analysis.
The primary goal of the journal is to bring together work that uses simulation-based approaches to solve medically relevant problems or to understand the physical principles underlying biological processes. This includes the use of established physical models, new computational frameworks, and integrative methodologies that support decision-making in healthcare or enhance predictive understanding in biophysical research.
The journal supports interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists, biomedical engineers, clinicians, computer scientists, and applied mathematicians. It aims to promote clarity, reproducibility, and relevance in the application of simulation science to living systems. Authors are encouraged to share detailed modelling approaches, validate simulations against experimental or clinical data, and discuss the practical implications of their work for research or patient care.
Scope
The Journal of Medical Physics & Biophysics Simulations publishes research from a wide range of fields where simulation is used to explore biological systems, optimise therapeutic techniques, model clinical workflows, or investigate the mechanical and physical properties of tissues, fluids, and cells. The journal welcomes both fundamental and applied studies, provided the research is grounded in a clear biological or clinical context.
1. Radiation Physics and Dosimetry
The journal accepts research involving the simulation of radiation transport, dose calculation, and treatment planning systems. This includes:
- Monte Carlo simulation in radiotherapy
- Dose modelling in external beam and brachytherapy
- Photon, electron, and proton beam simulations
- Imaging dose assessment and optimisation
- Radiation shielding calculations
- Validation studies using phantoms or clinical data
Submissions should clearly describe the modelling environment, simulation setup, verification methods, and clinical or research relevance.
2. Medical Imaging and Image-Based Simulation
Simulation methods applied to diagnostic imaging modalities are central to the journal’s scope. Relevant topics include:
- Synthetic image generation for MRI, CT, PET, or SPECT
- Simulation of imaging hardware or detector performance
- Reconstruction algorithms and image correction techniques
- Simulation-assisted quality assurance in radiology
- Digital phantoms for algorithm development
- Radiomics and feature extraction workflows validated through simulations
Articles may present standalone simulations or methods that support image acquisition, interpretation, or clinical reporting.
3. Biomechanics and Tissue Modelling
Submissions focused on modelling the mechanical properties or deformation of biological tissues are encouraged. This includes:
- Finite element models of bones, joints, or soft tissues
- Musculoskeletal system simulations
- Tissue stress-strain models and structural analysis
- Injury biomechanics and impact simulations
- Cardiac or pulmonary mechanical modelling
- Organ motion prediction in therapy planning
Authors should provide appropriate mechanical parameters, validation against experimental data, and applications in diagnostics, surgical planning, or rehabilitation.
4. Fluid Dynamics in Biological Systems
The journal supports research on fluid flow simulations in the context of circulatory, respiratory, renal, or other physiological systems.
Topics may include:
- Blood flow modelling in vessels or heart chambers
- Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics
- Airflow simulations in lungs and airways
- Vascular device interaction studies (e.g., stents, valves)
- Fluid-structure interaction in bio-systems
- CFD validation with in vivo or in vitro data
Studies must clearly define boundary conditions, anatomical assumptions, and computational constraints.
5. Electromagnetics and Thermal Modelling
Simulation studies involving electromagnetic fields, thermal distributions, or bioheat transfer are also within scope.
Examples include:
- Thermal therapy planning and ablation simulations
- RF exposure modelling in MRI or implant evaluation
- Electromagnetic field interactions with tissues
- Modelling of specific absorption rate (SAR)
- Biothermal impact of external energy sources
Manuscripts should include discussion on safety thresholds, modelling approximations, and device–tissue interactions.
6. Cellular, Molecular, and Systems-Level Modelling
The journal welcomes multi-scale and systems-level simulations that bridge biological processes and physical frameworks.
This includes:
- Tumour growth and diffusion modelling
- Simulations of signalling pathways or molecular interactions
- Modelling of ion transport, membrane dynamics, or cellular mechanics
- Systems biology models with physical structure components
- Agent-based simulations for biological processes
- Computational pharmacokinetics or drug-delivery simulations
All simulations must demonstrate biological relevance and methodological rigour.
7. Computational Tools, Methods, and Platforms
Submissions describing simulation software, pipelines, or reusable computational models are accepted. These may include:
- Open-source platforms for medical simulations
- Toolkits for image-guided intervention modelling
- Software for virtual surgical planning
- Standardisation protocols for simulation reporting
- Performance comparisons of numerical solvers in biomedical settings
Authors should include benchmarks, reproducibility metrics, and sample datasets where possible.
8. Educational and Clinical Implementation Studies
The journal also publishes simulation-based work used in training or clinical practice implementation.
Topics include:
- Virtual patient models for medical education
- Simulation environments for procedure rehearsal
- Integration of simulations into hospital workflows
- In silico trial design and regulatory alignment
- Quality assurance protocols using digital simulations
- Visualisation tools for interdisciplinary communication
Authors must describe user evaluation, interface design, and effectiveness where applicable.
The Journal of Medical Physics & Biophysics Simulations encourages global participation. It supports the publication of research conducted in academic labs, clinical physics units, technology firms, or interdisciplinary consortia. Articles must demonstrate scientific accuracy, methodological transparency, and relevance to human health or biological understanding.
Authors must ensure that submitted manuscripts are original, not under consideration elsewhere, and that all cited references are accurate. All references cited in the text must be listed at the end of the manuscript. The journal accepts citations in APA style. Authors must ensure accuracy and consistency in referencing.
By publishing research that integrates physical science with life science through simulation, the Journal of Medical Physics & Biophysics Simulations aims to foster a deeper understanding of biological complexity and support innovation in modern medicine.
