in silico

[ in sil-i-koh ]

adverb

1. (of a scientific experiment or scientific research) modeled or simulated on a computer, rather than in a living organism, a natural setting, or a controlled experimental environment: Compare in vitro ( def ), in vivo ( def ).

   An increasing amount of scientific work is performed in silico, with the entire process, from experiment to publication, performed by computer.

   The data was obtained from the results of an in silico analysis of four different treatments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of in silico¹

First recorded in 1985–90; on the pattern of in vitro ( def ), with substitution of vitro with silico, based on silicon ( def )

Example Sentences

“We can start testing hypotheses in silico,” Bergeron says.

From Science Magazine

"These are drugs that are commonly used, and we are the first to predict this interaction using this accelerated in silico and in vitro model," Traverso says.

From Science Daily

"Here, the experimental work was confirmed by simulation in silico, and our theory work offered new insights into what was happening ex silico," said Glotzer, the Anthony C Lembke Department Chair of Chemical Engineering.

From Science Daily

They also performed 'in silico' full-scale numerical experiments using Molecular Dynamic simulations to create a very realistic model of the real phenomenon.

From Science Daily

Their article, "In silico and experimental analysis of the repeated domains in BvaP, a protein important for GBS vaginal colonization," was recently published in Infection and Immunity.

From Science Daily