Trilobio has introduced a comprehensive automation platform that combines robotics, laboratory equipment and protocol software, designed to enhance reproducibility in life science research. Pilot data demonstrates significant improvements in throughput and data production for genetic engineering and synthetic biology applications.

System architecture and functionality

The newly launched platform comprises three integrated components: the Trilobot laboratory robot, specialized research devices (including grippers, pipettes, and tube handlers), and Trilobio OS protocol software. This combination creates a standardized environment where research protocols designed on one system can be reproduced on any similarly equipped laboratory without recalibration or reprogramming.

The system addresses fundamental challenges in scientific reproducibility, targeting the estimated 77% of biologists who struggle to reproduce their own or colleagues’ research. By providing plug-and-play functionality, Trilobio claims researchers can begin using their robots within 30 minutes of unboxing and design complex protocols in minutes rather than days.

The Trilobot robotic arm with single-channel pipette and 16-slot deck

Performance validation from early adopters

Initial deployments have generated promising results across academic and commercial settings. At the Leconte Group,a genetic engineering laboratory at the Claremont Colleges’ Keck Science Department, Associate Professor Aaron Leconte noted significant reliability improvements: “The Trilobot is the first low-cost automation system where I could genuinely see giving over more of the experimental responsibility to the robot. It is more reliable than other systems.”

Commercial implementations have shown measurable efficiency gains. Triton Bio reported saving approximately 80 hours in training time for new employees, while freeing technicians for additional tasks. According to Lorenzo D’Amico, CEO and Founder of Triton Bio: “In our operation, we increased data production by around 25%.”

Similarly, Abalone Bio, a synthetic biology company developing antibodies for challenging disease targets, achieved a 33% increase in testing throughput. Monica Schwartz, VP of Antibody Discovery, attributed this improvement to reduced human error and enhanced consistency: “Trilobio ensures that our cultures are moved to the correct well and the correct pipette volume every time.”

Technical innovation in protocol design

A distinctive feature of the platform is its approach to protocol design through Trilobio OS, which enables researchers to create workflows via a no-code graphical interface rather than traditional programming. The system automatically determines optimal execution parameters and can balance protocols for speed, cost, or accuracy according to experimental requirements.

This architecture facilitates protocol transferability between laboratories, potentially addressing a significant barrier to standardization in biological research. The company positions this interoperability as a mechanism to enhance scientific collaboration and data reliability.

Company background and funding

Trilobio was established in 2021 by Roya Amini-Naieni and Maximilian Schommer, who have been recognised by Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for contributions to manufacturing and industry advancement. The company has secured $3 million in pre-seed funding from Argon Ventures and Lowercarbon Capital. Amini-Naieni emphasised the user-centric design philosophy: “We’ve built Trilobio from the perspective of the biologist, with the understanding that full-integration and automation can unlock the full potential of research.”

For more information, visit: https://trilo.bio

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Roya Amini-Naieni, CEO and co-founder, Trilobio.