IN SILICO Meaning and
Definition
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In silico is a term derived from the Latin phrase "in silicosis," which means "in silicon." It is used to describe an approach or process that is performed using computer simulation, modeling, or computational methods instead of through traditional experimental or observational methods. In other words, it refers to performing experiments or studies in a virtual or computer-based environment.
The term "in silico" is commonly used in various scientific fields, notably in bioinformatics, drug discovery, and molecular biology. In these disciplines, researchers employ computational algorithms and simulations to analyze and predict the behavior, properties, or interactions of biological systems or molecules. For example, in silico drug design involves using computer simulations to study the effectiveness and safety of potential drug candidates before they are physically tested in laboratories or on humans.
By utilizing in silico methodologies, scientists can reduce costs, increase efficiency, and accelerate their research and development processes. This approach allows them to investigate complex systems, generate hypotheses, and make predictions without the need for extensive laboratory work. In silico techniques often involve the use of mathematical models, statistical analyses, machine learning algorithms, and advanced data processing techniques.
Overall, "in silico" describes a powerful and increasingly prevalent methodology in scientific investigations, enabling researchers to explore and understand complex phenomena through computer-based simulations and modeling.
Common Misspellings for IN SILICO
- un silico
- jn silico
- kn silico
- on silico
- 9n silico
- 8n silico
- ib silico
- im silico
- ij silico
- ih silico
- in ailico
- in zilico
- in xilico
- in dilico
- in eilico
- in wilico
- in sulico
- in sjlico
- in sklico
- in s9lico
Etymology of IN SILICO
The phrase "in silico" is a Latin expression that translates to "in silicon" in English. It was coined as a parallel to the expressions "in vivo" (meaning "within the living") and "in vitro" (meaning "within the glass").
In the late 1980s, the field of computational biology began to emerge, and researchers needed a term to describe the use of computer simulations and models to study biological systems. Drawing inspiration from the Latin expressions used to describe laboratory experiments, they came up with "in silico" to indicate computer-based experiments.
The term "in silico" was first used by the computational biologist Richard Kahn while working at Pfizer in 1989. It has since become widely used across various scientific disciplines to refer to any study, experiment, or analysis conducted on a computer or through computer simulations.
