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The Life of Bacteria is a game that simulates the living process of bacteria on a two-dimensional grid.

The original “Game of Life” was devised by the British mathematician John Horton Conway in 1970. The “Game” was published in the “Mathematical Games” column in Scientific American magazine.

Martin Gardner’s same-name book called “Mathematical Games” contents several initial patterns, 7 of which are presented down below.

Each cell of the grid is surrounded by 8 neighbouring cells that are horizontally, vertically and diagonally adjacent. Each generation of cells is under the influence of many factors. However, in this model the cells can be in only two states – live or dead. Any dead cell with 3 neighbours becomes a live cell. When a live cell is surrounded by more than 3 neighbours, it dies of overpopulation. If a live cell has less than 2 neighbours it also dies, but of underpopulation.

Sample initial patterns

Here are some sample initial patterns. Blinker – an oscillator pattern, Block is a still life pattern.

Cheshire Cat is a pattern that turns into a still life one, leaving only its “smile”.

Spaceship and Glider are examples of moving patterns. If interfered with another pattern, Spaceship divides into two oscillator patterns.Cancer is a pattern that represents the epidemic disease spread process. Switch is a pattern that flips itself vertically.

To try out the presented patterns go to “SAMPLE COLONIES” page.

The Youtube channel Vert Dider shows some of the patterns in their video. Another post on this topic was published by Vladivir98. Many colonies are presented in the article by N. Belyuchenko.

To open the page menu on a mobile device click a button with two stripes at the top right corner of the page, then click on the “SAMPLE COLONIES” page and click on the list of patterns to choose one.

You can create your own bacteria simulation pattern on the “MY COLONY” page. To make a cell live click ones on the preferred cell. To delete a cell click on it twice. If you are using a mobile device, just click on a cell to delete it. Then the process of generational change starts.

To save your pattern you want to register. All the saved patterns go to the “FEATURED COLONIES” page. The featured pattern you created can be deleted and the one that was created by another user can be liked.