Creating the world's first digital life form through open science
An international open science collaboration dedicated to creating a complete digital model of the C. elegans nematode.
OpenWorm aims to build the first comprehensive computational model of the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a microscopic roundworm. With only 302 neurons and approximately 1000 cells, it is the perfect model organism for creating a complete simulation of a living being.
Despite its simplicity, the C. elegans exhibits complex behaviors including feeding, mating, and learning. It was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced and its neural connections mapped, making it an ideal candidate for whole-organism modeling.
OpenWorm is committed to the principles of open science. All our models, data, and software are freely available to the scientific community and the public. We believe that collaboration and transparency accelerate scientific discovery.
Our comprehensive approach integrates multiple biological systems
Simulating the complete connectome of 302 neurons and their connections to create a virtual nervous system.
Building a mechanical model of the worm's muscles and how they interact with the environment.
Incorporating genetic data to influence cell behavior and development in our simulations.
Modeling cellular processes including metabolism, signal transduction, and gene expression.
Combining all components into a unified simulation that reproduces the worm's behavior.
Developing software tools that allow researchers to run and analyze simulations.
A decade of progress toward digital life
Project inception with the goal of building a complete simulation of C. elegans.
First simulation of the worm's body mechanics and neural activity.
Development of the Sibernetic fluid mechanics simulator for realistic environment interactions.
Integration of neural activity with body movement, creating the first movements driven by simulated neurons.
Expansion to include more cellular processes and improved behavioral responses.
Advanced integration of genetic data and improved neural network modeling.
The broader implications of digital organism modeling
OpenWorm provides insights into how neural circuits generate behavior, potentially leading to breakthroughs in understanding more complex nervous systems including human brains.
Digital models allow for rapid testing of pharmaceutical compounds and medical interventions, potentially accelerating drug discovery and reducing animal testing.
Biologically-inspired neural networks may lead to more advanced AI systems that can learn and adapt like living organisms.
OpenWorm demonstrates how multi-scale modeling can integrate various biological processes, from molecular interactions to organism behavior.
Whether you're a scientist, engineer, programmer, or simply curious about digital biology, there are many ways to get involved.
Contribute to OpenWorm