The Worm That No Computer Scientist Can Crack

Quick Summary:

One of the simplest, most over-studied organisms in the world is the C.elegans nematode.

For 13 years, a project called OpenWorm has tried—and utterly failed—to simulate it.

In 2003, the computer scientist David Harel pronounced the simulation of C.elegans a “grand challenge” for biology, a field that he considered overdue for an “extremely significant transition from analysis to synthesis.” Although Harel was surely right about that, he never managed to model more than the worm’s vulva—true story.

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Article Details

Author / Journalist: Claire L. Evans

Category: TechnologyEconomy

Markets: United StatesJapanYemen

Topics: Business / Computers and Software Business The Big Story

Source Website Secure: Yes (HTTPS)

News Sentiment: Negative

Fact Checked: Legitimate

Article Type: News Report

Published On: 2025-03-26 @ 10:00:00 (3 days ago)

News Timezone: GMT +8:00

News Source URL: wired.com

Language: English

Article Length: 2860 words

Reading Time: 16 minutes read

Sentences: 120 lines

Sentence Length: 24 words per sentence (average)

Platforms: Desktop Web, Mobile Web, iOS App, Android App

Copyright Owner: © Wired

News ID: 27349427

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About Wired

Main Topics: TechnologyEconomy

Official Website: wired.com

Update Frequency: 10 posts per day

Year Established: 1993

Headquarters: United States

News Last Updated: 9 hours ago

Coverage Areas: United States

Ownership: Independent Company

Publication Timezone: GMT +8:00

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Publisher ID: #111

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