Meet The Project: BioDynaMo

Meet The Project: BioDynaMo

Tue, 25/11/2025 - 16:43

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By hadams

A simulation showing a layer of cortical neurons forming axons and dendrites.
Figure `1. A simulation showing a layer of cortical neurons forming axons and dendrites.

Agent-based modelling (ABM) is a powerful methodology for studying complex systems in biology, epidemiology, economics, social sciences, medicine and more.

Biology Dynamics Modeller (BioDynaMo) is an ABM software that can simulate the behaviour of complex systems, such as neural development, tumour growth and cell migration. During the coronavirus pandemic, it was even used to run simulations of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Being open source, anyone in the world can download and use BioDynaMo for free.

So how might it be used to benefit you and me?

Simulation of soma clustering with two cell types and two extracellular substances.
Figure 2. Simulation of soma clustering with two cell types and two extracellular substances.
  1. Cancer: BioDynaMo can simulate cancer growth and treatment responses in 3D, enabling personalised treatment plans and reducing side effects by modeling interactions between cancer cells, immune cells, healthy cells, diffusing substances and more.
  2. Dengue: The platform helps simulate mosquito populations and disease transmission dynamics, considering environmental, immunological, and behavioral factors, to support dengue control and elimination strategies in urban settings.
  3. Inequality: BioDynaMo assists governments in urban planning and socio-economic decision-making by modelling scenarios to address and reduce socio-economic inequalities, fostering more resilient societies.

An innovative way to support both research and education, we can enhance and develop the capabilities of BioDynaMo further through external donations.

A simulation showing tumour growth in cortical brain tissue, including cell division and movement dynamics.
Figure 3. A simulation showing tumour growth in cortical brain tissue, including cell division and movement dynamics.

BioDynaMo is one of the projects you are supporting through the Make It Matter campaign. Donations to the campaign open on the 2nd of December 2025.

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Figure 1.  Source: Lukas Breitwieser et al., https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.08.139949

Figure 2. Source: Lukas Breitwieser et al., https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.08.139949

Figure 3. Source: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-kn_REuo7g