Scientists working on simulated forms of life have managed to get a worm, of which she is the behavior trying to mimic, to make them move. For the project, all cells of the animal modelled with a computer.
The researchers are working together in the Open Worm project, which has the aim of a worm completely from computer code to build. In an update to the scientists behind the project, let them know that there are muscle contractions can be simulated. This is to ensure that the virtual creature in the same way, moves like the ‘real’ version. There is a video released in which the virtual movements to be seen.
At the Open Worm project is an attempt to control the behavior of the worm C. elegans to mimic. This worm is often considered a model organism used in the study of cell biology, genetics and other branches of biology. Scientists had previously managed to get the full genetic code of C. elegans to find out. Also, the full developmental biology is known, so that each cell is known what role this plays in the body of the worm. An adult worm is about 1mm in length and has only a thousand cells.
On-term goal, the scientists have simulated worm integrate in the software of Geppetto. Because of this, anyone with a browser, the simulated worm view and agree to ‘play’. Moreover, the necessary code is available under an open source license.
Because computers continue to become more powerful, there is in recent years more interest has come for the so-called in silico experiments. By the computer forms of life to imitate, for example, can quickly look at what the effect of certain interventions on the functioning of an organism.