At Transcriptic we perform experiments using what we call a workcell - a set of devices like liquid handlers (automated pipettors), PCR machines, and plate read

At Transcriptic we perform experiments using what we call a workcell - a set of devices like liquid handlers (automated pipettors), PCR machines, and plate readers all linked together via a common interface and a robotic arm that moves containers between devices. That interface understands Autoprotocol and executes the instructions accordingly. Autoprotocol itself was designed to be an agreed upon standard for different types of laboratory automation (not just ours) to execute protocols. An example of an experiment someone could run through our cloud laboratory interface would be to monitor the growth rate of bacteria expressing different genes. This would be done using a protocol that contains some pipetting steps to dilute the bacteria and then alternates between incubating the plate at 37 degrees and reading OD600 of its wells using a plate reader at a specified interval for a certain number of repetitions.