We interpreted the Game of Life plasmid map to produce the flow chart below which, when simulated, produced the predicted expanding disk pattern shown in the animation. Note, if the simulation had been left to run for longer the expanding disk would have continued until it covered the entire grid.

While we were playing with simulation parameters a particularly interesting pattern appeared, shown below. Unfortunately, to reproduce the ring effect with bacteria, a hybrid pLux promoter is required so the plasmid can turn itself off when LuxIR concentrations pass a certain threshold.