Swarms and cytoskeleton – How simulation helps to explain biological problems physically

Biological systems are incredibly complex. Understanding the movements of a flock of birds or how the cytoskeleton changes its shape will never be possible by only observing these processes. Until recently, researchers could not understand these mechanisms as they simply lacked methods to investigate complex systems. With their simulation of active matter, Ivo Sbalzarini and his team of researchers are now able to simulate and thus, investigate these complex systems. This breakthrough in systems biology is a major goal on the way to a completely simulated model organism.