Exploring data in Virtual Reality

Our team is pioneering the application of Virtual Reality (VR) technology for exploring large and diverse biological data. On the surface, VR simply drastically increases the amount of information that can be displayed. On a deeper level, and perhaps more importantly, the immersive 3D space also represents the natural environment in which evolution has shaped human cognition. We perceive and interact with the world in 3D, and basic neurological processes of pattern recognition, learning, even social behavior are intimately linked to this fundamental experience. Exploring data in VR thus offers unique opportunities for integrating powerful machine learning with innately human capabilities, e.g. intuition and generalization via experience, incomplete or noisy information.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2021)
doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22570-w [pdf]