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''by J. Tyszka''


There are four methods of studying foraminifers: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vivo in vivo], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vitro in vitro], [[in fossilio]], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_silico in silico]. Integration of all these methods seems to be the best way of studying foraminifers.

== Foraminifera [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vivo ''in vivo''] ==

''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vivo In vivo]'' is used to indicate the presence of a whole/living organism, in distinction to a partial, dead or fossil organism, or a computer model. Foraminifera [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vivo ''in vivo''] can be studied either ''in situ'' or in culture experiments.

== Foraminifera [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vitro ''in vitro''] ==

Main ''in vitro'' experiments deal with molecular biology of foraminifers ([http://www.unige.ch/sciences/biologie/biani/msg/people/Jan/forams.htm DNA], proteins). 
Most of experiments focus on culture experiments of living foraminifers in aquaria, and actually are conducted ''in vivo'' in small glass containers. Such experiments search for behavioral and/or morphologic responses of foraminifers to changing conditions, such as food supply, salinity and temperature fluctuations, substrate effect etc. 

== Foraminifera ''[[in fossilio]]'' ==

'''''[[In fossilio]]''''' (Latin: "within fossil") methods focus on studying fossils, such as foraminiferal shells. This method covers all natural experiments recorded in fossil remains. Easily fossilizable foraminirera are perfect targets for '''''[[in fossilio]]''''' studies.

See [[The oldest fossil foraminifera]]


== Foraminifera [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_silico ''in silico''] ==

[[Image:VirtualCulture1s.jpg|thumb|right|150px| <font size="2">Foraminifera ''in silico'': [[VirtuaLab|Virtual culture of foraminifers]].</font size>]]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_silico '''''In silico'''''] methods are "performed on computer or via computer simulation." See: '''[[VirtuaLab]]'''.