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Published on: September 11, 2021
OpenEvo: An Open-Source Platform for Automated Evolution and Analysis
Sebastian S Cocioba1, Pin-Che Huang2, John Mallon3
1Binomica Labs, 43-01 22nd Street, 3rd Floor Suite 342, Long Island City, NY 11101.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|July 17, 2026
Summary
OpenEvo is a low-cost, open-source turbidostat for automated directed evolution experiments. This platform enables researchers to conduct complex experiments affordably and efficiently.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Synthetic Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Automated continuous culture and directed evolution are crucial for biological research.
- Existing turbidostat platforms are often expensive, complex, and lack open-source hardware.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce OpenEvo, a fully open-source, low-cost turbidostat platform.
- Address the limitations of current tools by providing an accessible and automated solution for directed evolution experiments.
Main Methods:
- OpenEvo utilizes open-source hardware, software, and firmware, with detailed construction instructions.
- The platform supports automated continuous culture, programmable selection cycles (positive, negative, neutral), and optional LED stimulation.
- Experiments involved evolving *Haloferax volcanii* for salt tolerance and demonstrating optogenetic selection.
Main Results:
- Evolved *Haloferax volcanii* showed a 55% increase in growth rate at 12% salt compared to wild-type.
- Whole-genome sequencing revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and large deletions in evolved cells.
- Successful demonstration of optogenetic selection using programmable LED stimulation over 4000 hours.
Conclusions:
- OpenEvo significantly lowers the technical and cost barriers for conducting continuous evolution experiments.
- The platform serves as a valuable teaching tool and fosters an open community for users to share modifications.
- OpenEvo facilitates diverse experimental designs, including those involving optogenetics and complex selection pressures.
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