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Architectures of emerging biofoundry platforms for synthetic biology

  • 0Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Biofoundry Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
Current Opinion in Biotechnology +

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November 2, 2025

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November 2, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Biofoundries are automated platforms accelerating synthetic biology through robotics and software. These integrated systems enable high-throughput DNA assembly, strain engineering, and AI-driven self-driving labs for scalable biological engineering.

Area Of Science

  • Synthetic Biology
  • Automation Engineering
  • Biotechnology

Background

  • Biofoundries are integrated, automated platforms designed to accelerate synthetic biology.
  • They utilize robotic systems, analytical instruments, and software for efficient workflow design, execution, and data management.
  • This ensures scalability and reproducibility in biological engineering processes.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To review the architectural foundations of biofoundries.
  • To highlight the role of Robot-Assisted Modules (RAMs) in flexible workflow configurations.
  • To examine advancements in software and AI for enhanced biofoundry operations and applications.

Main Methods

  • Review of biofoundry architectures, focusing on modular Robot-Assisted Modules (RAMs).
  • Analysis of software development advancements for workflow design and interoperability.
  • Examination of synthetic biology applications and performance evaluation metrics.
  • Discussion of artificial intelligence integration for predictive modeling.

Main Results

  • Biofoundries facilitate high-throughput and labor-intensive synthetic biology experiments.
  • Modular RAMs allow flexible configurations from single-task units to multi-workstation systems.
  • Software advancements improve workflow design and system interoperability.
  • AI integration paves the way for self-driving laboratories.

Conclusions

  • Biofoundries are crucial for accelerating synthetic biology applications like DNA assembly and strain engineering.
  • The modular architecture and advanced software/AI integration are key to scalable and reproducible biological engineering.
  • Future developments point towards self-driving laboratories for sustainable and distributed synthetic biology.