MicroLabVR: A VR-Based Platform for Interactive 3D Microbiome Data Visualization

¹ Professorship of Data Engineering, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg, Germany
² Professorship of Bioinformatics, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
³ Professorship of Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany

^* e-mail: burbachs@hsu-hh.de
^** e-mail: maleshkm@hsu-hh.de
^*** e-mail: florian.centler@uni-siegen.de
^**** e-mail: tanja.schmidt@uni-siegen.de
^† Shared senior authorship

Abstract

Microbiome data are inherently complex, high-dimensional, and often challenging to interpret using conventional two-dimensional visualization techniques. To address this limitation, we present MicroLabVR, a proof-of-concept virtual reality (VR) application designed for the immersive visualization and exploration of simulated microbiome data. MicroLabVR supports the interactive inspection of spatial population dynamics and substance concentration distributions in two and three dimensions, offering a more intuitive understanding of microbial behavior. The application integrates data exported from BacArena, a hybrid constraintand agent-based modeling tool, and visualizes metabolic fluxes and explores spatiotemporal changes within a simulated Petri dish environment. Unlike existing microbiome visualization tools, MicroLabVR enables real-time exploration of dynamic, spatially resolved simulation data in an immersive 3D environment. It provides a novel interface that enhances the interpretation of microbiome simulations by allowing users to interactively examine spatial patterns, temporal changes, and metabolic activities. Future developments will focus on volumetric representations, integration of metabolic flux directions, and streamlined data transfer from simulation tools. MicroLabVR extends the capabilities of existing desktop platforms and highlights VR’s potential in microbiome research.