Fig. 2. The classical “design-build-test-learn” (DBTL) pipeline (top) compared to the “growth selection-based” DBTL cycle proposed in this study (bottom).

The “design” and “build” phases are supported by the same technologies in both cycles. Nevertheless, the novel pipeline changes in the “test” and “learn” phases, which become faster in their execution due to the lack of -omics analyses (shorter red and purple arrows). In case of necessity, the new cycle can host adaptive laboratory evolution within its “test” phase (longer red arrow). Created with BioRender.com.