Putting the human body in a computer

Over the past 20 years, computer simulation has become an invaluable third leg of research in the physical sciences, adding to the traditional tools of theoretical studies and experimental observation. Simulation can give far more accurate pictures than can be provided by theoretical analysis, and show processes that are difficult to observe in detail. Recently, this invaluable tool has been successfully applied to medicine, where the systems tend to be more complex, requiring more computer power. The results are likely to be as far reaching as they have been in physics and chemistry.