Zishan Fu met with guest speaker Dr. Renske Vroomans from the Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University. Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University (SLCU) is a research institute dedicated to unraveling the systems which govern plant growth. As a theoretical biologist, Renske joined SLCU in August 2021 after delving into the question ‘how did multicellular organisms evolve?’ at the Origins Center in the Netherlands. Multicellular organisms have more than one cell, like humans, whereas unicellular organisms like some bacteria are unicellular. Currently, she employs computer models to investigate various biological phenomena, with a primary focus on plants. We enjoyed her talk titled ‘Gradients, noise and novelty: computing the evolution of development.’What is ‘novelty’ in plants?Dr. Renske Vroomans started her talk by defining novelty and delved into her use of computer simulations to understand the evolution of novel features. Novelty is when a new feature appears in an organism, such as a new petal shape or colour. Dr Renske Vroomans Notably, she discussed modeling the evolution of how petals are patterned in Hibiscus, showcasing the models of different phenotypes (what the plant looks like, controlled by the genotype which is the plant’s genetic makeup) and how those phenotypes affected their ability to survive. The models were based on observed petal variations and considered the DNA of the plant and how it was shown in what the plant looked like. Using computer models allows Dr. Vroomans to bypass the growth time of actual plants and to expedite the reconstruction of evolutionary histories. What are your research goals for your lab? Dr Vroomans expressed that her group utilizes computational models to explore the long-term evolution of how plants develop. Their focus is on studying the evolution of novelty in plants by examining how genes work in those organisms in combination with other dynamic processes. Do you have any advice for undergraduate students, PhD students, or early career scientists?Dr Vroomans’ advice is to maintain an open mind and embrace transitions without fear. She emphasizes that career paths can be influenced by available opportunities, urging individuals not to set limits on their potential. This article was published on 2025-02-21
