ginkgo-cloud-lab
Helps your agent navigate and use the Ginkgo Bioworks Cloud Lab. It assists with protocol selection, data preparation, and ordering synthetic biology experiments.
What it does
This service helps you choose and order experiments in a remote lab called Ginkgo Cloud Lab. It guides you in selecting the right protocol, preparing samples, checking prices, and how to place an order.
When to use it
- ✓When you need proteins or RNA and don't have the equipment.
- ✓When you want to test protein stability.
- ✓When you want to create fluorescent cell art.
Example of what to ask your AI
“I want to express a protein using E. coli and purify it, what's the cheapest protocol?”
Want more? Open the sections below.
How to use
The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.
Skill link
Ready-to-paste message
How it works
You describe what you need, and the tool compares it with available protocols, showing prices and timelines. Then, it helps you place the order on the website.
Installation
Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.
In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:
npx skills add K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills --skill ginkgo-cloud-labOr download just the file:
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills/main/skills/ginkgo-cloud-lab/SKILL.md -o SKILL.mdTechnical content (original SKILL.md)
Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.
Ginkgo Cloud Lab
Overview
Ginkgo Cloud Lab (https://cloud.ginkgo.bio) provides remote access to Ginkgo Bioworks' autonomous lab infrastructure. Protocols use Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs), modular units with robotic arms and plate transport, across a catalog-advertised fleet of 70+ integrated instruments.
The platform also includes EstiMate, a compatibility and pricing assistant that accepts protocol descriptions, files, or links and returns preliminary estimates for custom workflows.
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
The following prices, availability labels, and turnaround text are a 2026-09-30 catalog snapshot, not a configured quote. References link to the corresponding service terms. Catalog and terms sometimes disagree on days versus business days, input format, or readout scope; resolve those differences in the service order.
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; confirm LabChip separately | $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 |
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 |
…
FAQ
What are protocols?
They are like recipes that explain how the lab will perform your experiment, what you need to provide, and what you will receive back.
What is EstiMate?
It's a tool within Ginkgo Cloud Lab that calculates the estimated cost and time for your experiment.
Are the prices exact?
The prices shown are estimates. The final price may change when you place the official order.
Details
Original description by the author
Guides protocol selection, input preparation, pricing checks, and browser ordering on Ginkgo Bioworks Cloud Lab (cloud.ginkgo.bio). Applies to cell-free, E. coli, and Pichia protein expression; HiBiT, A280, and LabChip readouts; IVT mRNA/circRNA synthesis; thermal shift assays; Echo-MS methods; SPR target onboarding; plate-reader assay onboarding; and fluorescent pixel art.
Popularity
- GitHub stars
- 51k
- Ranking position
- #1881
- License
- MIT
- Updated
- 10/15/2026
Comments
- …
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