From virtual cells to virtual bacteria — Towards the era of evolvable micro-life digital twins

Abstract

Life sciences are entering a stage where computational modeling and experimental biology are deeply intertwined, giving rise to the concept of digital twins in living systems. This perspective outlines the transition from virtual cells toward dynamic virtual bacteria—a new framework that seeks to reconstruct prokaryotic life in silico with evolutionary and adaptive capability. By integrating genomic, metabolic, and biophysical data, Virtual Bacteria models aim to replicate bacterial behavior, community interactions, and evolutionary dynamics at multiple scales. However, this transition requires addressing significant computational bottlenecks, data gaps in genetic understanding, and ethical governance. Such systems hold broad potential for synthetic biology, microbial ecology, antibiotic resistance research, and the study of host–microbiome relationships. Beyond their practical utility, they also offer a novel platform for exploring the origin and evolution of life from a computational standpoint. Establishing evolvable digital micro-life will not only deepen our understanding of biological complexity but may also reframe how science conceptualizes and experiments with living systems in the coming digital era.