The human gut is teeming with microbes, each interacting with one another in a mind-boggling network of positive and negative exchanges. Some produce substances that serve as food for other microbes, while others produce toxins – antibiotics – that kill their neighbors.

The complexity of life makes it difficult to study. In biochemistry, there are often just too many processes and reactions taking place in a cell for humans to wrap their heads around. What helps biochemists make sense of it all?  Cue computational biology and biochemistry.

A University of Wisconsin–Madison spinoff won the grand prize and three others won top awards in their categories in the 15th annual Governor’s Business Plan Contest on Wednesday.