An increasingly popular concept in lab automation is that of a “self-driving lab.” This is a term for a platform that can run many rounds of experiments while using the data it generates during each round to inform the next experiment, essentially a closed-loop feedback control system for doing science.
I agree - on the biology side - biopolymer(protein/RNA/DNA) engineering should see traction in this first since the methods don't change when building highly diverse molecules.
I could see traction on the cell biology side with the new types CRISPR and related perturbations becoming more routine (eg. perturb-seq), but it will definitely be challenging.
There is a company called SES that recently unveiled batteries using electrolyte optimized by AI. While they don’t seem to be using self-driving laboratories for these discoveries, it’s another example of increased automation in research.
I see such automation feasible for repetitive tasks of data acquisition, however a large aspect of innovation is serendipity. Think of the discovery of microwave or penicillin. It is such accidental discoveries that make giant leaps in innovation. Do you think that automating laboratories would eliminate such accidental discoveries?
Nice write-up, an exciting space for sure!
I agree - on the biology side - biopolymer(protein/RNA/DNA) engineering should see traction in this first since the methods don't change when building highly diverse molecules.
I could see traction on the cell biology side with the new types CRISPR and related perturbations becoming more routine (eg. perturb-seq), but it will definitely be challenging.
Nice article!
There is a company called SES that recently unveiled batteries using electrolyte optimized by AI. While they don’t seem to be using self-driving laboratories for these discoveries, it’s another example of increased automation in research.
I see such automation feasible for repetitive tasks of data acquisition, however a large aspect of innovation is serendipity. Think of the discovery of microwave or penicillin. It is such accidental discoveries that make giant leaps in innovation. Do you think that automating laboratories would eliminate such accidental discoveries?