In vitro biology provides powerful, controlled systems for studying cellular processes across plant, animal, and human models. Advances in genomics, imaging, and high-throughput experimentation have greatly increased data complexity, creating a growing need for more sophisticated analytical tools. This webinar brings together two researchers applying machine learning and computational pipelines to address that challenge in distinct but complementary systems.
Dr. Hans Bethge of PhenoLytics GmbH will present on digital phenotyping and AI-assisted media design in plant tissue culture. His talk covers how imaging technologies — from visible light and fluorescence to CT scanning — enable quantitative, reproducible assessment of morphological and developmental traits that were previously evaluated by eye. He will also discuss ADAM, an open-access platform for data-driven optimization of culture media, and the role of machine learning in detecting physiological disorders early and reliably.
Matthew Gruner of the University of Nevada, Reno, will present on integrating whole-brain connectome data from fruit flies and ants with cross-species single-cell atlases. Working in the laboratory of Dr. Meet Zandawala, Gruner uses tools including SATURN and SCENIC to predict gene regulatory networks and link neuronal connectivity to cellular function — shedding light on how neuropeptide networks drive behavior, metabolism, and longevity across arthropod species.
The session will also address practical considerations common to both fields: data quality, model interpretability, and the collaboration between experimental and computational scientists.
The webinar is moderated by Deepika Chauhan, Chair of the SIVB Membership Committee, and is designed for researchers and trainees seeking to adopt data-driven approaches in in vitro biology. Registration is free and open to all.
Event title: From Code to Culture: How AI and Bioinformatics Are Transforming In Vitro Biology
Date/time: Thursday, April 30, 2026 | Noon EDT | 9 a.m. PDT
Speakers:
- Dr. Hans Bethge · R&D Project Leader, PhenoLytics GmbH
- Beyond Intuition: Digital Phenotyping and AI-Assisted Media Design in Plant In Vitro Biology
- Matthew Gruner · University of Nevada, Reno
- From Synapse to Single-Cell: Improving Universal Cell Embeddings via High-Resolution Arthropod Connectomics
Moderated by Deepika Chauhan, Chair, SIVB Membership Committee.
