Ginkgo Bioworks Wins $47M PNNL Contract for Modular AI-Ready Phenotyping Platform
Deal Supports DOE’s Ambitious Microbial Molecular Research Mission
In a move aimed at supercharging the pace of biological research, Ginkgo Bioworks has been awarded a contract worth up to $47 million over four years by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). This collaboration will bring a High-Throughput Automated Phenotyping Platform (HTP-APP) to the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, enabling the Department of Energy (DOE) to pursue its Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability (M2PC) objectives at scale.
Platform Highlights: Modularity and Automation to Meet Changing Research Needs
Selected through a competitive process, Ginkgo's new system stands out for its flexible design. The HTP-APP will employ Ginkgo Automation's Catalyst scheduling software and modular Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs) to automate every step—from preparing media and growing samples to running advanced analytical assays. This end-to-end automation will not only allow for more consistent data collection but also help scientists quickly adjust methods as scientific priorities evolve.
According to the company, the system will support BSL-2 operations, allow remote experiment planning, and provide managed support to maintain maximum uptime. For PNNL, these features are expected to translate into greater productivity and more reproducible, high-quality biological data suitable for the demands of modern AI and machine learning.
| Feature | Platform Capability |
|---|---|
| Modularity & Expandability | Reconfigurable RAC-based hardware and digital twin software for dynamic scaling and bottleneck identification |
| Workflow Coverage | Full automation from media preparation to multimodal analytics (e.g., flow cytometry, plate readers, LC/GC-MS) |
| Operations & Reliability | Remote monitoring, managed support, training, and high uptime designed for national user-facility settings |
AI and Automation Are the Cornerstones of the DOE’s Scientific Innovation Strategy
Both Ginkgo’s leadership and PNNL emphasize that this partnership is about much more than equipment—it’s about creating infrastructure for tomorrow’s breakthroughs. As noted by Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, this contract represents the kind of investment outlined in recent national AI initiatives: deploying AI-enabled, cloud-based laboratories to keep American biotechnology competitive on a global scale.
The platform’s integration of modular hardware with intelligent scheduling software is expected to generate the vast, high-quality datasets required by modern AI-driven biological research. With such capabilities, researchers can address complex scientific challenges relevant to energy, environment, and health—all core to the DOE’s mission.
Forward-Looking Potential: Sustainable, Scalable, and Data-Driven
The system is built not just for current needs, but for adaptability over time. Modular design ensures new scientific techniques or instruments can be easily integrated, providing a sustainable path for future growth. Coupled with managed services and training, the goal is to maintain uninterrupted facility operations and a constant flow of reproducible data—key factors for large-scale, collaborative science projects.
For those tracking advances in lab automation or AI-driven life sciences, Ginkgo’s partnership with PNNL signals an evolution in how U.S. research institutions aim to maintain global leadership and catalyze scientific innovation in the years ahead.
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