How to install ginkgo-cloud-lab
npx skills add https://github.com/k-dense-ai/scientific-agent-skills --skill ginkgo-cloud-labFull instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from k-dense-ai/scientific-agent-skills.
name: ginkgo-cloud-lab description: Submit and manage protocols on Ginkgo Bioworks Cloud Lab (cloud.ginkgo.bio), a web-based interface for autonomous lab execution on Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs). Use when the user wants to run protein expression and purification (cell-free, E. coli, or Pichia), HiBiT or A280 or LabChip quantification, IVT mRNA/circRNA synthesis, thermal shift / developability assays, Echo-MS enzyme or analyte methods, SPR target onboarding, fluorescent pixel art, or otherwise interact with Ginkgo Cloud Lab services. Covers protocol selection, input preparation, pricing, and ordering workflows. license: MIT license allowed-tools: Read metadata: version: "2.0"
Ginkgo Cloud Lab
Overview
Ginkgo Cloud Lab (https://cloud.ginkgo.bio) provides remote access to Ginkgo Bioworks' autonomous lab infrastructure. Protocols are executed on Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs) -- modular units with robotic arms, maglev sample transport, and industrial-grade software spanning 70+ instruments.
The platform also includes EstiMate, an AI agent that accepts human-language protocol descriptions and returns feasibility assessments and pricing for custom workflows beyond the listed protocols.
The catalog is organized into Expression & Purification (in vitro / cell-free / E. coli / Pichia), Characterization & Assay, Method & Target Onboarding, and Specialty. Pick a protocol below, then read its reference file for inputs, outputs, the automated workflow, and ordering details.
Available Protocols
Expression & Purification - In vitro
| Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IVT mRNA/circRNA Synthesis | qPCR (mRNA or circRNA, 384-well) | $99/sample | up to 12 business days | Certified |
Expression & Purification - Cell-free (E. coli CFPS)
| Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Validate sequence expression | Go/no-go titer + purity (up to 1800 bp) | $39/sample | up to 10 days | Certified |
| Optimize expression conditions | DoE across 24 conditions | $199/sample | up to 11 days | Certified |
| Express + quantify (HiBiT) | Luminescence, no purification | $39/sample | up to 11 days | Certified |
| Express + purify (A280) | Strep-tag, A280 yield | $149/sample | up to 11 days | Certified |
| Express + purify minibinder | Strep-tag, A280, LabChip | $149/sample | up to 11 days | Certified |
| Express + purify (A280 + LabChip) | Strep-tag, A280 + purity/size | $159/sample | up to 12 days | Certified |
Expression & Purification - E. coli
| Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express + quantify (HiBiT) | Luminescence (up to 384 constructs) | $79/sample | up to 3 weeks | Certified |
| Express + purify (A280) | His-tag, A280 yield | $199/sample | up to 3 weeks | Certified |
| Express + purify minibinder | His-tag, A280 yield | $199/sample | up to 3 weeks | Certified |
| Express + purify (A280 + LabChip) | His-tag, A280 + purity/size | $209/sample | up to 3 weeks | Certified |
Expression & Purification - Pichia
| Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express + quantify (LabChip) | Secreted protein, size/purity (up to 96) | $89/sample | up to 4 weeks | Certified (New) |
Characterization & Assay
| Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express + thermal shift | SYPRO Orange Tm (Tonset, TM1-3) | $159/sample | up to 12 days | Certified |
| Detect enzymatic products (Echo-MS) | Substrate/product by Echo-MS | $44/sample | up to 13 days | Beta |
Method & Target Onboarding
| Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onboard Echo-MS method | Calibration curve, LOD/LOQ | $799/molecule | up to 3 weeks | Certified |
| Onboard SPR target | Validated SPR capture method | $1,399/target | up to 4 weeks | Beta |
Specialty
| Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generate fluorescent pixel art | UV photo, 7-color E. coli palette | $25/plate | up to 7 days | Beta |
Coming soon: Protein Expression and Binding Affinity Characterization (express + purify, then screen binding affinity against a target).
Choosing a Protocol
- Quick expressibility screen? Cell-free HiBiT ($39) or Validate sequence expression ($39).
- Need purified protein + yield? A280 tiers (cell-free or E. coli); add LabChip for purity/size.
- Difficult / membrane / disulfide / cofactor targets? Cell-free Optimize (24-condition DoE).
- Secreted or eukaryotic targets? Pichia expression.
- Screening de novo binders/minibinders? Cell-free or E. coli minibinder tiers, then SPR onboarding for kinetics.
- Enzyme activity / biocatalysis? Echo-MS enzymatic detection (onboard the analyte method first).
- Stability / developability ranking? Thermal shift assay.
- RNA (mRNA/circRNA)? IVT synthesis + qPCR.
General Ordering Workflow
- Select a protocol at https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/protocols
- Configure parameters (number of proteins/samples/molecules/targets, replicates, plates)
- Download the protocol's input template and upload inputs (FASTA/CSV/XLSX for sequence protocols; Design Tool for pixel art; vendor catalog numbers for onboarding)
- Add any special requirements in the Additional Details field
- Provide an email, agree to the protocol terms, and add to cart / submit to receive a feasibility report and price quote
For protocols not listed above, use the EstiMate chat (https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/estimate) to describe a custom protocol in plain language and receive a compatibility assessment and pricing.
Authentication
Access Ginkgo Cloud Lab at https://cloud.ginkgo.bio. Account creation or institutional access may be required. Contact Ginkgo at cloud@ginkgo.bio for access questions.
Key Infrastructure
- RACs (Reconfigurable Automation Carts): Modular robotic units with high-precision arms and maglev transport
- Catalyst Software: Protocol orchestration, scheduling, parameterization, and real-time monitoring
- 70+ integrated instruments: Agilent Bravo liquid handlers, Beckman/Labcyte Echo acoustic dispensers, BMG PHERAstar / Tecan Spark readers, Revvity LabChip, Bio-Rad CFX Opus, Nicoya Alto SPR, SciEx Echo-MS, Inheco/Cytomat incubators, and more
- Nebula: Ginkgo's autonomous lab facility in Boston, MA
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