For some of the older biologists, especially plant physiologists, it may just be a kind of
déjà vu on a higher level, but for biological research in general a comprehensive
assessment of plant growth and behaviour under defined conditions – using image
processing complemented with genetic and biochemical measurements – opens up a
whole new window to quantitative plant physiology, which may be one aspect or
definition of systems biology.
The following essay shall highlight some aspects of the very successful reductionistic
approach of science and how it can in our days – using state of the art science
technology – be transferred to a new exciting level.