The U.S. Department of Energy has introduced a new artificial intelligence-driven biotechnology platform at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited PNNL to commission and sign the Anaerobic Microbial Phenotyping Platform (AMP2), which is designed to advance autonomous biological discovery.
According to PNNL scientists, AMP2 is expected to become the world’s largest autonomous-capable science system for anaerobic microbial experimentation. The project is part of the Genesis Mission, an initiative launched by the Trump Administration that aims to bolster American leadership in science and innovation through advancements in artificial intelligence.
Built by Ginkgo Bioworks, AMP2 provides Department of Energy researchers with enhanced tools to study microbes. This technology will allow scientists to identify, grow, and optimize microbes more quickly than before by using automation and AI.
“President Trump launched the Genesis Mission to ensure American leadership in science and innovation,” said Secretary Chris Wright. “This ongoing public-private partnership at PNNL will help do exactly that in the field of biotechnology. By launching AI-enabled, autonomous platforms like AMP2, our DOE National Laboratories are driving scientific breakthroughs faster than ever before and ensuring the United States leads the world in technologies that will better human lives and secure our future.”
The AMP2 platform serves as a prototype for a larger planned system known as the Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability (M2PC). Together, these systems are intended to form what could be the largest autonomous microbial research infrastructure globally. The goal is for this infrastructure to help maintain U.S. leadership in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and materials innovation over coming decades.
Secretary Wright’s visit was part of his broader tour across all 17 DOE National Laboratories; PNNL was his 16th stop. He was joined by Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks, and Deb Gracio, director of PNNL.
“The official launch of AMP2 marks a milestone in maintaining our nation’s global leadership in biotechnology innovation,” said PNNL Director Deb Gracio. “Together with DOE and Ginkgo Bioworks, we are bringing the vision of high-throughput, AI-enabled science to life and empowering researchers to accelerate discoveries that unlock the boundless potential of microbial science.”
“Secretary Wright and the DOE have moved quickly on the first steps of President Trump’s Genesis Mission today with the creation of two autonomous labs that together will be the world’s largest,” said Jason Kelly, Founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks. “Artificial intelligence paired with robotic laboratories led by our nation’s scientists will ensure the United States wins the race in science and for the bioeconomy versus our adversaries. Ginkgo is proud to play a part in the President’s effort that could be as important as the Manhattan and Apollo projects in securing US leadership of the future.”
