For biologists, the 1800’s and early 1900’s was a time of exploration, observation, and attempting to characterize and classify the unknown. As technologies were developed, vast varieties of organisms were whittled down to a small handful that were then studied extensively.

Depending on the particular biological question posed, it makes sense to choose the simplest organism that can reveal an answer. For example, if one is studying how basic processes like cell division occur, single-celled yeast is a logical choice. If the question centers around a biological system like the brain and nervous system, the fruit fly is an excellent option. The mouse may be the best choice if seeking a mammal that can serve as a model system for a human disease.

There were abundant theories behind curious creature capabilities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; however, scientists lacked the technologies and techniques to generate the amount of data required to validate their hypotheses. Then, a careful and precise investigation of a relatively small collection of species yielded large quantities of data. This, along with technological breakthroughs—like computers and DNA sequencers—enabled scientists to develop and refine technologies, collecting even more data along the way.

Now, technology has caught up. Although the exploration that distinguished late 19th century biology never ceased, scientists are armed with tools like high resolution imaging and multi-omics sequencing for accelerated exploration at unprecedented rates. Along with “ordinary” or highly studied and well-characterized traditional research organisms, scientists now have the ability, and the tools, to investigate and understand the feats of less studied “unordinary” organisms.

The Institute encourages its scientists to take risks by asking big questions. This includes an unordinary, or rather extraordinary, level of support to develop facilities to house, care for, and study more unusual organisms for research along with well-established organisms. For example, the Institute is home to fruit flies and sea anemones, and coastal reef building corals are now thriving and reproducing right here in the Midwest.

There are many organisms residing at the Institute, collected from all over the world, and cared for by an army of dedicated scientists, technicians, and a veterinarian. From apple snails with human-like eyes that regenerate to sea anemones that serve as 600-million-year-old time machines elucidating what the very first animals inhabiting Earth looked like to single-celled yeast unveiling how Huntington’s disease starts—whether ordinary or unordinary, each can reveal something important in our quest to unravel life’s secrets.

Learn more about the organisms of the Stowers Institute here.