Apologies for cross-posting

Dear colleague:
I am sure you have already heard of this European initiative called the "Virtual Physiological Human" that aims to establish a framework of methods and technologies that make possible an integrative investigation of the human body. Since the original idea emerged in 2005, it was rapidly developed and today we see hundreds of researchers in European and also non-European institutions working on research and technological development projects linked to this vision.

But the VPH remain a grand challenge, with a huge potential but also the need of equally huge critical mass. In this sense a recent document on the strategic vision for the VPH developed by the VPH Network of Excellence, and currently under revision by our community, suggests as a key step the formation of a permanent non-profit organisation called the VPH Institute.
http://www.biomedtown.org/biomed_town/VPH/vphonoe_strategic_report_2009/vphnoe_vision_oct162009

Following this recommendation we started a process that hopefully will lead to the formation of such institute sometimes in 2010. An early step of this process is the collection of signatures from VPH researchers in Europe and worldwide in support of this idea. In this sense we would be honoured if you could sign the on-line petition you can find here:
http://www.biomedtown.org/biomed_town/VPH/petitions/institute/

Best Regards,

Marco Viceconti
On behalf of the Pro Tempore Board of Directors, VPH Institute

• Additional information:

http://www.biomedtown.org/biomed_town/vphop/reception/knowledgement/

• Useful links:

http://www.biomedtown.org/biomed_town/vphop/reception/knowledgement/UsefulLinks