A computer model of early embryonic development in vertebrates is an important step in systems biology and computational biology, two nearly identical fields that will play a growing role in a new branch of medicine we call “digital medicine” by simulating human anatomy, physiology, metabolism and more on a computer. Surgeons already practice such medicine at a very early and crude (but still beneficial) through surgical simulation. Microsoft’s Kinect 3D virtual reality system, currently mainly just a games platform, may have potential in surgical simulation, based upon our take of a fascinating video produced by Microsoft Research.

We have rebuked Microsoft in the past (not that they noticed) for having nothing to show for two decades and billions of dollars spent on research. Maybe things are about to change. Watch the video.

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