Ginkgo Cloud Lab

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.

Available Protocols

1. Cell Free Protein Expression Validation

Rapid go/no-go expression screening using reconstituted E. coli CFPS. Submit a FASTA sequence (up to 1800 bp) and receive expression confirmation, baseline titer (mg/L), and initial purity with virtual gel images.

• Price: $39/sample | Turnaround: 5-10 days | Status: Certified
• Details: See references/cell-free-protein-expression-validation.md

2. Cell Free Protein Expression Optimization

DoE-based optimization across up to 24 conditions per protein (lysates, temperatures, chaperones, disulfide enhancers, cofactors). Designed for difficult-to-express and membrane proteins.

• Price: $199/sample | Turnaround: 6-11 days | Status: Certified
• Details: See references/cell-free-protein-expression-optimization.md

3. Fluorescent Pixel Art Generation

Transform a pixel art image (48x48 to 96x96 px, PNG/SVG) into fluorescent bacterial artwork using up to 11 E. coli strains via acoustic dispensing. Delivered as high-res UV photographs.

• Price: $25/plate | Turnaround: 5-7 days | Status: Beta
• Details: See references/fluorescent-pixel-art-generation.md

General Ordering Workflow

1. Select a protocol at https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/protocols 2. Configure parameters (number of samples/proteins, replicates, plates) 3. Upload input files (FASTA for protein protocols, PNG/SVG for pixel art) 4. Add any special requirements in the Additional Details field 5. Submit and receive a feasibility report and price quote

For protocols not listed above, use the EstiMate chat to describe a custom protocol in plain language and receive 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: Sample prep, liquid handling, analytical readouts, storage, incubation
• Nebula: Ginkgo's autonomous lab facility in Boston, MA

Cell Free Protein Expression Optimization

URL: https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/protocols/cell-free-protein-expression-optimization Status: Ginkgo Certified Price: $199/sample (default: $597 for 1 protein x 3 replicates = 3 samples) Turnaround: 6-11 days

Overview

Design of Experiment (DoE) approach to expressing protein targets in a proprietary reconstituted E. coli transcription-translation system. Each construct is evaluated in up to 24 reaction conditions per protein, including target-specific additives such as chaperones, disulfide-bond enhancers, and cofactors. Designed for difficult-to-express proteins including membrane proteins and targets with disulfide or cofactor requirements.

Input

• DNA sequence in .fasta format

Output

• Comparative Yield: Titer data mapped across all tested variables (lysates, temps, additives)
• Purity Profiling: Target protein vs. background impurities to find highest quality yield
• Optimal Conditions: Overlaid electropherograms pinpointing the exact formulation for a given sequence

Automated Workflow

Phase 1 - Reagent Prep

1. Retrieve plates from 4 deg C 2. Thaw at room temperature 3. PBS backfill

Phase 2 - CFPS Reaction Setup & Incubation

1. Retrieve plates from 4 deg C 2. Dispense lysate 3. QC plate read 4. Incubate (shaking or static, condition-dependent)

Phase 3 - Quantification Prep & Read

1. Dispense PBS 2. Unseal plate 3. LabChip quantification 4. Seal plate 5. Store at 4 deg C

Protocol Parameters

• Payloads & Reagents
• Bravo Stamp
• HiG Centrifuge
• Incubation & Storage

Optimization Variables

The DoE matrix can span up to 24 conditions per protein, varying:

• Lysate composition (different E. coli extract formulations)
• Temperature (incubation temperature profiles)
• Additives:
• Chaperones (for folding-challenged targets)
• Disulfide-bond enhancers (for targets requiring disulfide bridges)
• Cofactors (metal ions, coenzymes, prosthetic groups)
• Other target-specific supplements

Ordering

• Number of Proteins: configurable
• Number of Replicates: configurable
• File Upload: CSV, Excel, FASTA, TXT, PDF, ZIP
• Additional Details: free-text field for special requirements

Certification Milestones

• Dry Run Complete
• Wet Run Complete
• Biovalidation Complete
• App Note Complete

Use Cases

• Optimizing expression of difficult-to-express proteins
• Membrane protein expression screening
• Identifying optimal conditions for disulfide-bonded proteins
• Cofactor-dependent protein expression
• Systematic exploration of expression parameter space
• Finding the best formulation before scaling up production

Cell Free Protein Expression Validation

URL: https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/protocols/cell-free-protein-expression-validation Status: Ginkgo Certified Price: $39/sample (default: $936 for 8 proteins x 3 replicates = 24 samples) Turnaround: 5-10 days

Overview

Fastest path from a protein sequence to a quantitative go/no-go readout on expression. Uses a proprietary reconstituted E. coli transcription-translation (cell-free protein synthesis, CFPS) system. Reactions complete in 4-16 hours. Designed for early-stage screening, novel construct evaluation, and rapid triage of candidate sequences before committing resources to downstream optimization or purification.

Input

• DNA sequence in .fasta format
• Sequences up to 1800 bp supported

Output

• Expression Confirmation: Verification of target protein at expected molecular weight
• Baseline Titer: Initial quantitative yield measurement (mg/L)
• Initial Purity: Percentage of target protein vs. impurities, delivered with virtual gel images

Automated Workflow

Phase 1 - CFPS Reaction Setup & Incubation

1. Retrieve plates 2. Stamp DNA templates 3. Seal plate 4. Incubate shaking at 30 deg C

Phase 2 - Quantification Prep

1. Dispense PBS diluent 2. Seal plate 3. Store at 4 deg C

Phase 3 - LabChip Quantification

1. Unseal plate 2. LabChip quantification 3. Seal plate 4. Store at 4 deg C

Protocol Parameters

• Payloads & Reagents
• Bravo Stamp
• HiG Centrifuge
• Incubation & Storage

Ordering

• Number of Proteins: configurable
• Number of Replicates: configurable
• File Upload: CSV, Excel, FASTA, TXT, PDF, ZIP
• Additional Details: free-text field for special requirements

Certification Milestones

• Dry Run Complete
• Wet Run Complete
• Biovalidation Complete
• App Note Complete

Use Cases

• Screening candidate protein sequences for expressibility
• Go/no-go decisions before investing in optimization
• Evaluating novel constructs in a cell-free system
• Comparing expression levels across sequence variants

Fluorescent Pixel Art Generation

URL: https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/protocols/fluorescent-pixel-art-generation Status: Beta Price: $25/plate Turnaround: 5-7 days

Overview

Transforms a digital image into a living, fluorescent bacterial artwork printed on an agar omni-tray. Customers submit a pixel art design and colors are mapped to distinct fluorescent E. coli strains. Overnight cultures are prepared from frozen glycerol stocks, diluted, and dispensed onto selective LB-chloramphenicol agar plates via Echo acoustic liquid handling at 50 nL per spot. Plates are incubated at 30 deg C for 16 hours, followed by 4 deg C for 12 hours to stabilize colony morphology and fluorescence. High-resolution photographs are captured under UV illumination and delivered digitally.

Input

• Image file: .png or .svg format
• Resolution: 48x48 to 96x96 pixels
• Color mapping: Match image colors to the fluorescent strain palette
• Orientation: Confirm plate orientation and multi-plate designs (identical vs. distinct)

Available Fluorescent E. coli Strains (11 colors)

Output

• Digital delivery: High-resolution UV images in TIFF/JPEG format
• Optional add-ons: Framed archival prints

Automated Workflow

Phase 1 - Source Plate Preparation

1. Shake source plate 2. Centrifuge source plate 3. Peel source plate seal

Phase 2 - Acoustic Dispensing (per destination plate)

1. Peel destination seal 2. Echo hit-pick dispensing (50 nL per spot) 3. Seal destination plate 4. Shake destination plate 5. Centrifuge destination 6. Store destination at 30 deg C (16 hr incubation)

Phase 3 - Source Storage

1. Seal source plate 2. Store source plate

Post-Processing

1. Transfer to 4 deg C for 12 hours (fluorescence stabilization) 2. UV illumination photography 3. Image processing and delivery

Ordering

• Number of Plates: configurable
• File Upload: CSV, Excel, FASTA, TXT, PDF, ZIP, PNG, JPG, GIF, SVG, WEBP
• Additional Details: free-text field for special requirements

Certification Milestones

• Dry Run Complete
• Wet Run Complete
• Biovalidation Complete
• App Note Complete

Use Cases

• Educational outreach and demonstrations
• Unique scientific art and gifts
• Conference displays and promotional materials
• Lab team celebrations
• Visualizing biological art concepts