Sync Bio We build rack-mounted lab-in-a-box machines. Twenty boxes can fit in one small room, carrying out millions of experiments in parallel. The system is designed from the ground up for collecting massive datasets, supporting the training of complex cell-level (and organoid-level) models.

The Boxes

Each box provides the functionality of a robotic workcell, including an internal plate grasper/mover that can stack and rearrange plates. The boxes are 55 x 48 x 67cm and have a default capacity of 100 plates.

Incubation

The boxes provide temperature and O₂/CO₂ control. Each box has insulated walls and a double-pane glass front door (with a cover for light-sensitive experiments).

Liquid Handling

We provide hardware for pipetting and pin-based liquid transfer, with optional optical volume verification. We also provide sub-microliter dispensing, targeting efficient reagent usage.

Other Modules

The system supports a variety of other modules, including plate shakers, thermocyclers, vortexers, centrifuges, magnetic bead devices, and UV-C sterilization. (In some configurations, the total plate capacity is reduced due to the space required by additional modules.)

We also provide imaging modules for microscopy (fluorescence, brightfield, phase contrast, and darkfield).

Example Applications

Cell passaging. We use in-box imaging to monitor cell density and transfer cells to new plates as needed. The system can mix cells with glycerol for freezing.

Organoid maintenance. The system can remove media with pipette tips and dispense new media with pressure-and-solenoid dispensers. The imaging module measures visual properties of each organoid multiple times per day.

scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq preparation. A box can be configured to perform a full set of sequencing preparation steps using PIP-seq or split-pool barcoding methods.

Spatial proteomics. The system can dispense antibody or aptamer reagents for spatial proteomics/multiomics. The system supports up to 12 cameras per box, allowing one box to capture over 100k images per day. We provide image processing software for proteomics and cell structure analysis.

Diagnostics and Quality Control

Each box contains an abundance of built-in sensors and real-time diagnostic systems, including detailed environmental monitoring. Cameras can inspect plates multiple times per day, flagging suspicious plates or wells.

Programmatic Control

The hardware can be controlled using standard Python code. Control code can be remotely launched, configured, and monitored.

Scaling

We provide racks for stacking 3+ boxes vertically, allowing 20+ boxes to operate in a small lab. The boxes have the ability to transfer plates from box to box. We also provide hardware for moving plates to and from third-party lab equipment.

Partnerships

We are offering multi-box installations to academic/nonprofit partners. We provide hardware, integration, and tech support (at no cost) in exchange for sharing the produced data. We are also open to commercial partnerships.

About Us

Peter Sand has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT and years of experience building lab automation machines. Dmitri Petrov has a Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard and is a professor of Biology at Stanford.