# Ginkgo Cloud Lab > 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 an… - **Type:** Skill - **Install:** `agentstack add skill-k-dense-ai-scientific-agent-skills-ginkgo-cloud-lab` - **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior - **Seller:** [K-Dense-AI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/k-dense-ai) - **Installs:** 0 - **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills) - **Latest version:** 0.1.0 - **License:** MIT - **Upstream author:** [K-Dense-AI](https://github.com/K-Dense-AI) - **Source:** https://github.com/K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills/tree/main/skills/ginkgo-cloud-lab - **Website:** https://k-dense.ai ## Install ```sh agentstack add skill-k-dense-ai-scientific-agent-skills-ginkgo-cloud-lab ``` Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent. ## About # 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](references/ivt-rna-synthesis-qpcr.md) | 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](references/cell-free-protein-expression-validation.md) | Go/no-go titer + purity (up to 1800 bp) | $39/sample | up to 10 days | Certified | | [Optimize expression conditions](references/cell-free-protein-expression-optimization.md) | DoE across 24 conditions | $199/sample | up to 11 days | Certified | | [Express + quantify (HiBiT)](references/cell-free-protein-expression-hibit.md) | Luminescence, no purification | $39/sample | up to 11 days | Certified | | [Express + purify (A280)](references/cfps-strep-tag-purification-a280.md) | Strep-tag, A280 yield | $149/sample | up to 11 days | Certified | | [Express + purify minibinder](references/minibinder-strep-tag-a280.md) | Strep-tag, A280, LabChip | $149/sample | up to 11 days | Certified | | [Express + purify (A280 + LabChip)](references/cfps-expression-purification-quantification.md) | Strep-tag, A280 + purity/size | $159/sample | up to 12 days | Certified | ### Expression & Purification - E. coli | Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Express + quantify (HiBiT)](references/ecoli-protein-expression-hibit.md) | Luminescence (up to 384 constructs) | $79/sample | up to 3 weeks | Certified | | [Express + purify (A280)](references/ecoli-protein-expression-histag-a280.md) | His-tag, A280 yield | $199/sample | up to 3 weeks | Certified | | [Express + purify minibinder](references/ecoli-minibinder-expression-histag-a280.md) | His-tag, A280 yield | $199/sample | up to 3 weeks | Certified | | [Express + purify (A280 + LabChip)](references/ecoli-expression-purification-quantification.md) | His-tag, A280 + purity/size | $209/sample | up to 3 weeks | Certified | ### Expression & Purification - Pichia | Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Express + quantify (LabChip)](references/pichia-protein-expression-labchip.md) | 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](references/cfps-strep-purification-thermal-shift.md) | SYPRO Orange Tm (Tonset, TM1-3) | $159/sample | up to 12 days | Certified | | [Detect enzymatic products (Echo-MS)](references/echo-ms-cfps-detection.md) | Substrate/product by Echo-MS | $44/sample | up to 13 days | Beta | ### Method & Target Onboarding | Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Onboard Echo-MS method](references/echo-ms-method-onboarding.md) | Calibration curve, LOD/LOQ | $799/molecule | up to 3 weeks | Certified | | [Onboard SPR target](references/spr-target-onboarding.md) | Validated SPR capture method | $1,399/target | up to 4 weeks | Beta | ### Specialty | Protocol | Readout | Price | Turnaround | Status | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Generate fluorescent pixel art](references/fluorescent-pixel-art-generation.md) | 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 1. Select a protocol at https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/protocols 2. Configure parameters (number of proteins/samples/molecules/targets, replicates, plates) 3. 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) 4. Add any special requirements in the Additional Details field 5. 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 ## Source & license This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code. - **Author:** [K-Dense-AI](https://github.com/K-Dense-AI) - **Source:** [K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills](https://github.com/K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills) - **License:** MIT - **Homepage:** https://k-dense.ai Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above. ## Pricing - **Free** — Free ## Security capabilities Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access: - **Network access:** no - **Filesystem access:** no - **Shell / process execution:** no - **Environment & secrets:** no - **Dynamic code execution:** no *"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.* ## Versions - **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source. ## Links - Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-k-dense-ai-scientific-agent-skills-ginkgo-cloud-lab - Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/k-dense-ai - Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse --- Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.