Algorithms for the Toric Hilbert Scheme
  The toric Hilbert scheme parametrizes all algebras isomorphic to a given semigroup algebra as a multigraded vectorspace. All components of the scheme are toric varieties, and among them, there is a fairly well understood coherent component. However, it is unknown whether toric Hilbert schemes are always connected. In this chapter we illustrate the use of Macaulay 2 for exploring the structure of toric Hilbert schemes. In the process we will encounter algorithms from commutative algebra, algebraic geometry, polyhedral theory and geometric combinatorics. 
Michael Stillman (Cornell U.), Bernd Sturmfels (UC Berkeley) and Rekha   R. Thomas (U. of Washington)