Co-convenors: Leah Band (University of Nottingham) and George Bassel (University of Warwick)
Over recent decades, we have gained detailed knowledge of many processes involved in plant and animal biology. However, with this knowledge comes increasing complexity and a pressing need for mechanistic modelling and in silico techniques to uncover how those individual processes interact.
There are many ways in which modelling and in silico biology are now major players in the field of Experimental Biology. Through this special interest group, the SEB promotes the use of these techniques. For instance, one major challenge is to relate genotypes to phenotypes, requiring researchers to move beyond the molecular and cellular scales, and use multiscale modelling to predict emergent dynamics at the tissue and organ levels.
Progress in this area will be crucial as biological research moves from a qualitative to an increasingly quantitative understanding of plant and animal systems, employing predictive tools that accelerate the development of, for example, improved crop varieties.