Collaborative Research: ABI Innovation: PlantSimLab: A Simulation Laboratory for Plant Biology

越来越多的人认识到，在分子水平上，异质分子的非线性网络控制着许多植物过程，因此系统生物学在这一领域提供了一种有价值的方法，建立在实验生物学与数学建模的整合基础上。使这种整合成为现实的最大挑战之一是，大多数植物生物学家不具备建立和操纵数学模型所需的数学背景，足以将其用作假设生成的工具。该项目的目标是开发一个网络建模工具PlantSimLab，使植物生物学家能够构建，验证和使用直观的计算机模型，用户界面不需要数学或建模专业知识。目前没有这样的工具。PlantSimLab旨在扮演虚拟实验室的角色，植物生物学家可以以类似于在实验室中完成的方式询问计算模型。该软件将通过驱动软件功能和界面功能的用例，与植物生物学社区密切合作开发。最后，将进行广泛的传播工作，向植物生物学家介绍该工具。该项目还将利用一个正在进行的外展项目，该项目涉及弗吉尼亚州9-12岁的儿童。该计划，儿童科技大学（KTU），每年带来450名儿童到弗吉尼亚理工大学校园4次，在那里他们与科学家互动，参加动手实验室，并在校园活动之间，探索与校园讨论的主题相关的虚拟空间。该项目将产生与植物生物学有关的实践和虚拟活动，特别是拟议项目的重点。

It is increasingly recognized that at the molecular level nonlinear networks of heterogeneous molecules control many plant processes, so that systems biology provides a valuable approach in this field, building on the integration of experimental biology with mathematical modeling. One of the biggest challenges to making this integration a reality is that most plant biologists do not possess the mathematical background needed to build and manipulate mathematical models well enough to use them as tools for hypothesis generation. The goal of the project is to develop a network modeling tool, PlantSimLab, that enables plant biologists to build, validate, and use intuitive computer models, with a user interface that does not require mathematical or modeling expertise. No such tool is currently available. PlantSimLab is intended to play the role of a virtual laboratory, in which plant biologists can interrogate a computational model in ways similar to how it is done in the laboratory. The software will be developed in close collaboration with the plant biology community, through use cases that drive software capabilities and interface features. Finally, an extensive dissemination effort will be made to introduce the tool to plant biologists. The project will also leverage an ongoing outreach project that engages 9-12 year-old children across Virginia. The program, Kids' Tech University (KTU), brings 450 children to the Virginia Tech campus 4 times each year, where they interact with scientists, participate in hands-on laboratories, and, between campus events, explore a virtual space related to topics discussed on campus. The project will result in hands-on as well as virtual activities related to plant biology in general and the focus of the proposed project in particular.