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+Overview
+========
+
+VirtualLeaf is a cell-based computer-modeling framework for plant
+tissue morphogenesis. The current version defines a set of
+biologically-intuitive C++ objects, including cells, cell walls, and
+diffusing and reacting chemicals, that provide useful abstractions for
+building biological simulations of developmental
+processes. VirtualLeaf?-based models provide a means for plant
+researchers to analyze the function of developmental genes in the
+context of the biophysics of growth and patterning. The VirtualLeaf?
+runs on Windows, Mac and Linux.
+
+
+Papers on VirtualLeaf
+---------------------
+
+If you use VirtualLeaf in your work, please cite our paper [Merks,
+R. M. H., Guravage, M., Inzé, D., & Beemster,
+G. T. S. (2011). VirtualLeaf: An Open-Source Framework for Cell-Based
+Modeling of Plant Tissue Growth and Development. Plant Phys., 155(2),
+656–666](http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/content/short/pp.110.167619?keytype=ref&ijkey=YTmfxrHG5QCsa8k)
+(Open Access).
+
+A step-by-step introduction to building models with the VirtualLeaf?,
+providing basic example models of leaf venation and meristem
+development, is available in [Merks, R. M. H., & Guravage,
+M. A. (2012). Building Simulation Models of Developing Plant Organs
+Using VirtualLeaf. In Methods in Molecular Biology (Vol. 959,
+pp. 333–352)](http://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007%2F978-1-62703-221-6_23),
+[preprint](http://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007%2F978-1-62703-221-6_23).
+A list of problems, issues, and solutions re: this book chapter is
+maintained on googlecode.
+
+If need assistance in setting up parameter studies for your model,
+please see our chapter [Palm, M.M., & Merks,
+R.M.H. (2014). Large-Scale Parameter Studies of Cell-Based Models of
+Tissue Morphogenesis Using CompuCell3D or VirtualLeaf. In Methods in
+Molecular Biology (Vol. 1189)](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/cell+biology/book/978-1-4939-1163-9).
+
+
+Papers using VirtualLeaf
+------------------------
+
+Dirk De Vos, Kris Vissenberg, Jan Broeckhove, Gerrit T. S. Beemster
+(2014). Putting Theory to the Test: Which Regulatory Mechanisms Can
+Drive Realistic Growth of a Root? PLoS Computational Biology, 10(10),
+e1003910. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003910
+
+De Rybel, B., Adibi, M., Breda, A. S., Wendrich, J. R., Smit, M. E.,
+Novák, O., et al. (2014). Integration of growth and patterning during
+vascular tissue formation in Arabidopsis. Science (New York, NY),
+345(6197), 1255215–1255215. doi:10.1126/science.1255215
+
+D. Draelants, D. Avitabile, & W. Vanroose, [Localised auxin peaks in
+concentration-based transport models for plants](http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3926)
+[arXiv:1403.3926].
+
+Van Mourik, S., Kaufmann, K., Van Dijk, A. D. J., Angenent, G. C.,
+Merks, R. M. H., & Molenaar, J. (2012). Simulation of Organ Patterning
+on the Floral Meristem Using a Polar Auxin Transport Model. PLoS ONE,
+7(1), e28762. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028762.s018
+
+Wabnik, K., Kleine-Vehn, J., Balla, J., Sauer, M., Naramoto, S.,
+Reinöhl, V., et al. (2010). Emergence of tissue polarization from
+synergy of intracellular and extracellular auxin signaling. Molecular
+Systems Biology, 6, 447. doi:10.1038/msb.2010.103
+
+R M H Merks, Van de Peer, Y., Inzé, D., & Beemster,
+G. T. S. (2007). Canalization without flux sensors: a traveling-wave
+hypothesis. Trends in Plant Science, 12(9),
+384–390. doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2007.08.004
+
+
+Downloads
+---------
+
+[Download the VirtualLeaf](https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4SMVyYUsosrbVY3LTRXUHd5WWs&usp=sharing).