IF THE Sydney Harbour Bridge were rebuilt today, engineers would design, build and test the new bridge in virtual worlds before a sod of dirt was turned. Digital simulation has revolutionised science and technology, improving efficiency, reducing costs and significantly mitigating risks.

It could also do the same for medicine.

Today, drugs are not designed so much as “discovered”, because digital computers can’t simulate the molecular interactions within the human body, and hence can’t provide invaluable insights that would propel the development of novel treatments and cures.