How do I install the Alterlab Ginkgo Cloud skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add alterlab-ieu/alterlab-ginkgo-cloud in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Alterlab Ginkgo Cloud safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: PASS, Skill Scanner: PASS. Capability flags: makes network calls. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Alterlab Ginkgo Cloud?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Alterlab Ginkgo Cloud free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free. This skill is licensed under MIT.

Who published Alterlab Ginkgo Cloud?

AlterLab-IEU (@alterlab-ieu) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Alterlab Ginkgo Cloud by alterlab-ieu

Name: Alterlab Ginkgo Cloud
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: AlterLab-IEU

Alterlab Ginkgo Cloud

Submits and manages protocols on Ginkgo Bioworks Cloud Lab (cloud.ginkgo.bio), a web-based interface for autonomous lab execution on Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs), covering protocol selection, input preparation, pricing, and ordering workflows. Use when running cell-free protein expression (validation or optimization), generating fluorescent pixel art, or interacting with Ginkgo Cloud Lab services. Part of the AlterLab Academic Skills suite.

AlterLab-IEU Updated Sep 9, 2026 60 repo stars

File contents

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.

Available Protocols

1. Cell Free Protein Expression Validation

Rapid go/no-go expression screening using reconstituted E. coli CFPS. Submit a FASTA sequence (up to 1800 bp) and receive expression confirmation, baseline titer (mg/L), and initial purity with virtual gel images.

Price: $39/sample | Turnaround: 5-10 days | Status: Certified
Details: See references/cell-free-protein-expression-validation.md

2. Cell Free Protein Expression Optimization

DoE-based optimization across up to 24 conditions per protein (lysates, temperatures, chaperones, disulfide enhancers, cofactors). Designed for difficult-to-express and membrane proteins.

Price: $199/sample | Turnaround: 6-11 days | Status: Certified
Details: See references/cell-free-protein-expression-optimization.md

3. Fluorescent Pixel Art Generation

Transform a pixel art image (48x48 to 96x96 px, PNG/SVG) into fluorescent bacterial artwork using up to 11 E. coli strains via acoustic dispensing. Delivered as high-res UV photographs.

Price: $25/plate | Turnaround: 5-7 days | Status: Beta
Details: See references/fluorescent-pixel-art-generation.md

General Ordering Workflow

Select a protocol at https://cloud.ginkgo.bio/protocols
Configure parameters (number of samples/proteins, replicates, plates)
Upload input files (FASTA for protein protocols, PNG/SVG for pixel art)
Add any special requirements in the Additional Details field
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.

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: Sample prep, liquid handling, analytical readouts, storage, incubation
Nebula: Ginkgo's autonomous lab facility in Boston, MA

---name: alterlab-ginkgo-clouddescription: Submits and manages protocols on Ginkgo Bioworks Cloud Lab (cloud.ginkgo.bio), a web-based interface for autonomous lab execution on Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs), covering protocol selection, input preparation, pricing, and ordering workflows. Use when running cell-free protein expression (validation or optimization), generating fluorescent pixel art, or interacting with Ginkgo Cloud Lab services. Part of the AlterLab Academic Skills suite.license: MIT--- # 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. ## Available Protocols ### 1. Cell Free Protein Expression Validation Rapid go/no-go expression screening using reconstituted E. coli CFPS. Submit a FASTA sequence (up to 1800 bp) and receive expression confirmation, baseline titer (mg/L), and initial purity with virtual gel images. - **Price:** $39/sample | **Turnaround:** 5-10 days | **Status:** Certified - **Details:** See [references/cell-free-protein-expression-validation.md](references/cell-free-protein-expression-validation.md) ### 2. Cell Free Protein Expression Optimization DoE-based optimization across up to 24 conditions per protein (lysates, temperatures, chaperones, disulfide enhancers, cofactors). Designed for difficult-to-express and membrane proteins. - **Price:** $199/sample | **Turnaround:** 6-11 days | **Status:** Certified - **Details:** See [references/cell-free-protein-expression-optimization.md](references/cell-free-protein-expression-optimization.md) ### 3. Fluorescent Pixel Art Generation Transform a pixel art image (48x48 to 96x96 px, PNG/SVG) into fluorescent bacterial artwork using up to 11 E. coli strains via acoustic dispensing. Delivered as high-res UV photographs. - **Price:** $25/plate | **Turnaround:** 5-7 days | **Status:** Beta - **Details:** See [references/fluorescent-pixel-art-generation.md](references/fluorescent-pixel-art-generation.md) ## 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. ## 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:** Sample prep, liquid handling, analytical readouts, storage, incubation - **Nebula:** Ginkgo's autonomous lab facility in Boston, MA

Frequently asked questions