The Biocarriers SDL (Bio.CAR) is focusing on the autonomous robot-assisted optimization of the synthesis and application of biocarriers. Biocarriers are materials or substrates designed to facilitate the immobilization and attachment of biomolecules such as DNA, enzymes, antibodies, or cells. They are utilized in various biotechnological, analytical, and therapeutic applications to enhance stability, reusability, and efficiency of biomolecules during processes such as biocatalysis, diagnostics, or drug delivery and also in the molecular purification of biomolecules. Ideal biocarriers combine several critical features for effective biomolecule immobilization. They require a high surface area to maximize attachment capacity and a functionalized surface to ensure selective and stable binding. They must also exhibit stability to withstand operational conditions, compatibility to preserve biomolecule functionality, and regeneration ability for reuse.

However, balancing these attributes is challenging, as enhancing one feature, such as surface functionalization or porosity, can compromise others like stability or reusability, demanding careful material design and optimization. The same applies to their applications, where process parameters—such as pH, temperature, incubation times and buffer compositions—must also be meticulously optimized to ensure performance and reliability. Simultaneously optimizing such a multitude of parameters, especially considering the interfering effects, poses a major challenge and is typically highly time-, labor- and resource-intensive.

Our Biocarriers self-driving lab (Bio.CAR) addresses these challenges by automating and accelerating the optimization process for biocarriers and their applications. The autonomous laboratory platform leverages advanced robotics, high-throughput experimentation, and artificial intelligence to efficiently explore large parameter spaces. By systematically designing experiments, analyzing data in real time, and iteratively refining conditions through artificial intelligence, the Bio.CAR SDL identifies optimal configurations far more quickly and accurately than traditional manual or purely high-throughput automation approaches. This approach not only reduces the time, labor, and resources required but also enhances reproducibility and ensures more robust performance outcomes, making self-driving labs a transformative tool in the development and application of biocarriers.

Within the Bio.CAR SDL  we establish advanced self-driving laboratories specifically tailored for the development, application and optimization of biocarriers. By integrating cutting-edge automation, machine learning, data-handling and connectivity these labs present a transformative approach on how biocarrier systems are designed and applied. With the capabilities of these laboratory platform the BioCAR project aims to solve longstanding challenges in the field. The system has already proven highly successful for optimizing DNA purification processes and minimizing resource use within the process¹. Ultimately, this initiative will not only accelerate the creation of highly efficient and reliable biocarriers but also pave the way for innovative solutions to complex problems in biotechnology, diagnostics, and bioprocess engineering.

[1]: Putz, S., Döttling, J., Ballweg, T., Tschöpe, A., Biniyaminov, V., & Franzreb, M. (2024). Self-Driving Lab for Solid-Phase Extraction Process Optimization and Application to Nucleic Acid Purification. Advanced Intelligent Systems, 2400564. https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202400564