domains / science / ginkgo-cloud-lab-ordering / ginkgo-cloud-lab

ginkgo-cloud-lab

Skill card

combined

The K-Dense copy is a comprehensive catalog snapshot (v2.3) covering 17+ protocols across Expression, Characterization, Onboarding, and Specialty categories, with specific pricing and turnaround times. The FreedomIntelligence copy is a narrower, workflow-focused guide covering only 3 protocols (Cell-free Validation, Optimization, Pixel Art) but includes specific operational details like the 'General Ordering Workflow' steps, 'Authentication' contact info, and 'Key Infrastructure' components (Catalyst, Nebula) that the K-Dense copy omits or truncates. Neither is a strict reproduction of the other; the K-Dense copy has the breadth, while the FreedomIntelligence copy has the procedural depth for the subset it covers.

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Other copies

Combined skill

---
name: ginkgo-cloud-lab
description: Guides protocol selection, input preparation, pricing checks, and browser ordering on Ginkgo Bioworks Cloud Lab (cloud.ginkgo.bio). Covers cell-free, E. coli, and Pichia expression; characterization; onboarding; and specialty services.
license: MIT
compatibility: Requires network access and a browser for Ginkgo Cloud Lab; account access may be needed for ordering and results.
metadata:
  version: "2.3"
  last-reviewed: "2026-09-30"
  skill-author: K-Dense Inc.
---

# 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.

## 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.
- **Nebula:** Ginkgo's autonomous lab facility in Boston, MA.

## Available Protocols

The following prices, availability labels, and turnaround text are a **2026-09-30 catalog snapshot**, not a configured quote.

### 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; confirm LabChip separately | $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 |

### 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 |
| [Onboard plate-reader assay](references/plate-reader-assay-onboarding.md) | Qualification data; customer assesses performance | $399/assay | up to 4 weeks | Certified |

### 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 |

## 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.

## General Ordering Workflow

1. Select a protocol at https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/protocols
2. Configure parameters (number of samples/proteins, replicates, plates)
3. Upload input files (FASTA for protein protocols, PNG/SVG for pixel art)
4. Add any special requirements in the Additional Details field
5. Submit and receive a feasibility report and price quote

For protocols not listed above, use the **EstiMate** chat to describe a custom protocol in plain language and receive 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.