Ginkgo Bioworks Expands Autonomous Lab Network to Top Universities

Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) has announced a significant expansion of its autonomous lab initiatives, collaborating with four prestigious academic institutions: California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Maryland (UMD), and Northwestern University. This effort is part of a broader strategy to deploy cloud-accessible, automated laboratories across the U.S., with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), and Ginkgo's advanced robotic infrastructure for life sciences.

The new lab nodes at Caltech, UMD, and Northwestern were selected under the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Test Bed: Toward a Network of Programmable Cloud Laboratories (NSF PCL Test Bed) program. Meanwhile, the MIT Media Lab has received funding from the MLSC to create a cloud laboratory focused on biotechnology education. These initiatives will empower researchers and students to design, execute, and analyze scientific experiments remotely.

To facilitate these autonomous labs, Ginkgo plans to deploy its Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs) in conjunction with its Catalyst Software. This combination will provide secure cloud access and comprehensive laboratory automation, transforming traditional lab setups into programmable cloud-based platforms.

Overview of the Four Autonomous Lab Nodes:
- **California Institute of Technology (ELECTRA)**: Directed by Dr. Hosea Nelson, the ELECTRA node aims to enhance structural biology and chemistry through automated electron diffraction and spectroscopy. Ginkgo will supply RACs and Catalyst Software to streamline sample preparation, data collection, and analytical processing into a unified, cloud-accessible system.

- **Massachusetts Institute of Technology (CBI)**: Under the leadership of Dr. David Kong at the Community Biotechnology Initiative (CBI), this lab is the first Cloud Laboratory for Learning, aimed at democratizing biotechnology and robotics education. Supported by MLSC funding, the lab will allow students and researchers to conduct remote experiments.

- **University of Maryland (CRAB Lab)**: Led by Dr. William Bentley at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), this lab focuses on smart biomanufacturing within the NSF PCL Test Bed network. By integrating molecular and electronic measurements, the CRAB Lab will utilize AI to optimize production in real-time, with Ginkgo deploying around 11 RACs and Catalyst Software to create a fully automated biomanufacturing suite.

- **Northwestern University (DREAM Cloud Lab)**: Directed by Dr. Julius Lucks, this lab node aims to scale cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) for applications in biosensors and sustainable manufacturing. Ginkgo plans to deploy five RACs and Catalyst software to develop reproducible, cloud-automated CFPS protocols.

Ginkgo Bioworks is dedicated to making biology easier to engineer. The company's autonomous laboratories enhance scientific productivity by replacing manual tasks with robotics. Ginkgo also offers its in-house lab as a "Cloud Lab" through contract research services. For further details, visit ginkgobioworks.com or follow them on social media platforms like X (@Ginkgo), Instagram (@GinkgoBioworks), Threads (@GinkgoBioworks), or LinkedIn.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements include expectations regarding the partnership's capabilities and potential success, as well as various operational factors that could impact future events. Ginkgo advises stakeholders to consider these factors carefully. The company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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