Virtual Cell Challenge – win USD 100k

Advances in single-cell RNA-seq technologies now enable large-scale measurements of cellular responses to genetic and chemical perturbations, fueling this exciting era of predictive cellular modeling. Virtual Cell Challenge is a recurring, open, community-driven challenge aimed at evaluating and improving computational models that predict cellular responses to genetic or chemical perturbations.

In 2025, the challenge will focus on context generalization: participants must predict the effects of perturbation in a held out cell type—the H1 human embryonic stem cell line. Using new experimental data we have generated for the Challenge, you will build a model that predicts these effects and submit the results to the Challenge leaderboard.

The top three models will win prizes valued at $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000.

Join us in shaping the future of cellular biology through predictive modeling.