OpenVT Workshop on Multiscale Multicellular Model Sharing and Reproducibility 2026
Abstract
The 2026 OpenVT Workshop on Multiscale Multicellular Model Sharing and Reproducibility is being held as a satellite workshop of the ECMTB joint meeting of the European Society for Mathematical and Theoretical Biology and the Society of Mathematical Biology at the University of Graz, Austria on Sunday 12 July 2026 from 1 pm to 5 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST). Building complex multicellular agent-based biological simulations (virtual tissues) in a sharable, extensible and reproducible way is challenging but critical to advancing research and enhancing deployment.
Multicellular simulations (virtual tissues) have become indispensable in understanding complex biological phenomena, from tissue development to disease progression. But the diversity in simulation methods – from agent-based models, cellular Potts models, cellular automata, lattice-free models, stochastic particle simulations, etc. – poses challenges in reproducibility, modularity, reusability, and integration within multi-scale simulation. With the increasing use of these models it is becoming necessary for these frameworks to adopt cross-platform compatibility which will lead to broad adoption and moving these technologies out of the research lab and into wider adoption.
Through a series of talks, discussions, and interactive tutorials/hackathons, this workshop aims to bridge these gaps by focusing on the development of standards and reference models for multicellular simulation frameworks. The workshop will bring together existing developers and users of multicellular simulation tools along with anyone with an interest in multicellular modelling and simulation. Note that the workshop will involve the development of multicellular simulations using one of a number of computational frameworks (attendees will need their own computers), however no prior knowledge will be assumed and introductory material will be provided if needed.
Read more about the workshop programme and free registration here.
We invite you to join us for a four-hour satellite workshop and hackathon on Sunday, 12 July 2026, before the ECMTB conference in Graz. We aim to kick-start a new reference model and have five tools signed up to be involved. The activities are designed for tool developers/users and beginners keen to discover more about multicellular simulation.
