March 2006
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Find your inner scientist
Even if you don't make a living at it, there's a bit of a scientist in each of us. We all experiment with our surroundings. We prod. We manipulate. We investigate. Now, Children's Hospital Boston's Research Web site takes a step toward satisfying your inner scientist with experiments that put you in control of the lab.
The latest addition to the site is a Virtual Stem Cell Laboratory. It's a computer-generated culture of embryonic stem cells, which you control by adding "factors" that cause them to differentiate into ever-more specialized cell types. Before your eyes, you'll see the stem cells develop into red blood cells, muscle cells, neurons and other types of fully developed cells.
The Research Web site offers other multimedia features, including a user-controlled animation that explains the process of proteomics, animated illustrations, movies and an interactive feature that teaches you about cell function. Check out all of this and more by visiting: www.childrenshospital.org/research.
