Scientific Inference Systems Laboratory |
The Computable Plant |
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The Challenge
How do the genetic makeup and environment interact to shape intricate developmental processes that lead to functional tissues, organs and organisms from undifferentiated cells? This has been a challenging question ever since biologists started wondering about development of multicellular organisms. The researchers have traditionally used microscopy, mutants and other methods to understand molecular and cellular bases for development. Recently, genomics is yet another tool added to the developmental biologists' arsenal. With the advances in biological knowledge, imaging instrumentation, applied biomathematics, and computing, it is now becoming possible create and apply computational modeling to integrate multidisciplinary approaches and different types of biological data in studying development.
The Project
Educational Outreach
The researchers also plan to develop, evaluate, and introduce a new set of techniques for high school and pre-service science teachers as well as to undergraduate students. Outreach activities will culminate in a summer institute in which 30 high school students will develop a public kiosk to display the "silicon plant" model for exhibit at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, which hosts 500,000 visitors per year. This program holds remarkable promise for linking cutting-edge knowledge and techniques with K-12 teachers' and students' understanding of plant development and integrative biology. Go to top of Page
Sponsors and Partners
![]() Sponsored by the National Science Foundation Frontiers in Integrative Biological Research (FIBR) Program ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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