OpenWorm: digital model of the nematode worm-in browser Bashny.Net

The tiny nematode, or roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans length of about a millimeter - one of the most studied organisms in the world. This is the first multicellular organism whose genome was completely sequenced. In C. elegans the two sexes - male and germafordity. Adult germaforditnaya specimen consists of only 959 cells and its nervous system - from 302 neurons. All connections between neurons C. elegans (коннектом) as fully described. The abundance of comprehensive scientific information on this worm and the relative simplicity of its structure few years ago inspired laboratory staff of the Institute of Complex Systems Simulation Systems Informatics Ershov, SB RAS to create a comprehensive computer model of C. elegans.

Eventually project attracted several dozen members from around the world, however, remained obscure and inaccessible to the general public: it is not so easy to understand that abundance the original data regarding the device of the worm, and a variety of subsystems models written in different programming languages, not to mention how to install and run it all on your computer. At the same time, C. elegans is widely used in the study of biology, and the ability to "drive" the model of the worm, with the details and consider the dynamics of how it works, can not be overestimated. Therefore, the project team decided to make the model available online - so anyone could just go to the site of the project and to look into the "matrix" which inhabits the virtual body. This is the essence of the project OpenWorm Kick on.



The creators of the model is calculated to collect 120 thousand dollars. During the first day it collected about 10% of this amount, so that the chances of success are pretty good. Baker, ready to donate $ 49 will be given the opportunity to start on the project site personally C. elegans model and watch her "life" - to study the body from the inside and outside with the help of three-dimensional visualization and observe the smallest up to the individual cells, the details of his life. < br />
In addition to create an online course, which explains how the device of the worm, and the algorithms and techniques used to create the model. All source code for the model will continue to be available under an open source license. Online course OpenWorm academy promise to begin this summer, and work on the site with a simulation of the worm expects to finish next spring.



Source: habrahabr.ru/post/220095/