Sync Bio We build lab-in-a-box machines using a menu of compact modules. One machine can replace an entire robotic workcell for a fraction of the cost (and using a fraction of the lab space).

The Box

Our standard box is 55cm x 48cm x 67cm and has a capacity of 100 plates. It includes a barcode reader and an internal plate grasper/mover with support for stacking/unstacking and lid removal.

Incubation

The boxes support optional temperature control and O₂/CO₂ control. In this configuration, 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, dispensing, and pin-based liquid transfer. Our pipetting system has multiple channels with independent high-speed movement. One channel can be aspirating, while another is dispensing, while another is swapping tips. All liquid transfers are validated with optical volume verification.

Other Modules

The system supports a variety of other modules, including coloning pickers, plate shakers, thermocyclers, centrifuges, magnetic bead devices, impedance-based cell monitoring, and UV-C LED sterilization. (In some configurations, the total plate capacity will be reduced due to the space required by additional modules.)

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

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.

NGS preparation. A box can be configured to perform a full set of sequencing preparation steps using magnetic racks and pipetting modules.

Colony picking. The system can select colonies based on visual attributes and transfer them to new media using plastic or metal pins. We provide optical verification of pin alignment and colony adherence.

Diagnostics and Quality Control

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

Programmatic Control

The hardware can be controlled using standard Python code. This control code can be remotely launched, configured, and monitored. We provide integration with third-party lab automation platforms and data platforms.

Scaling

The boxes can be connected vertically and horizontally, allowing 10+ boxes to operate in a small lab. We provide an automated system for transferring plates between boxes and for moving plates to and from third-party lab equipment.

Pricing

The lab boxes are $40k to $90k each, depending on which modules are installed. A typical configuration is $60k, including installation, integration, and 1 year of technical support.

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.