RAPID-350: Autonomous Lab for Bioactive Factors
RAPID-350The RAPID-350: Autonomous Lab for Bioactive Factors at Argonne National Laboratory leverages large language models and supercomputing resources for simulation of promising bioactive compounds.
What it can do
In this Robotic Autonomous Platforms for Innovative Discovery (RAPID) lab, researchers use simulations and artificial intelligence to evaluate and design new bioactive compounds. Then, researchers use the RAPID-350 lab capabilities to evaluate them, refine our knowledge of how they interact with organisms, and potentially change their design thereby continuing the autonomous research cycle. Examples include the design of novel antimicrobial peptides to find new and effective treatments for bacterial infections. Other work is used to screen the potential mutagenic effects of certain chemical compounds on biological systems and determine changes to their structures and inform strategies for mitigating potential genotoxicity.
SEE THE FACILITY
Key capabilities
Explore some of the key capabilities that make RAPID-350 unique.
- Biocontained compound and media handling: A suite of laboratory instruments housed within a bio-containment unit are used to dispense compounds and growth media and to test the response of organisms.
- High-throughput bacterial cultivation: Equipment supporting bacterial cultivation includes an integrated suite of liquid handlers, microplate readers, and large capacity incubator to maximize the scale of experiments possible.
- Biosafety Level 2 research: The laboratory itself is designed to accommodate Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) work for evaluating moderate risk pathogens that can cause disease.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Advanced algorithms optimize experiments and identify new patterns in data.
- Multiple software integration: The lab uses Argonne’s MADSCi software interface to seamlessly operate multiplatform capabilities.