Event Scientific training

Automation and Engineering Biology for Plant & Microbial Systems 

A one-day practical and theoretical workshop covering Biofoundries high throughput applications, DoE (design of experiments) and Engineering Biology pipelines.

Start date: 11 March 2026
End date: 11 March 2026
Time: 09.30 - 16.00
Venue: Earlham Institute (Norwich UK)
Organiser: Emily Angiolini
Enquiries:

training@earlham.ac.uk

 

Registration deadline: 08 February 2026
Cost: £75

About the event

This one-day workshop covers an introduction to Biofoundries and automation and the role they can play in engineering biology. We will include examples of research projects and experimental workflows using automation and bioengineering for plants and microbes. 

The workshop will consist of a mixture of lectures and practical sessions. We will walk you through designing, developing, validating, and applying automated workflows to research, robotic platforms, and high-throughput capabilities. 

We will focus on the robotic platforms Opentrons and Hamilton liquid handlers. We will perform exercises on programming Opentrons and have practical demonstrations in the lab for automated bacterial transformation and colony picking.  

There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions throughout as well as dedicated wrap-up session at the end of the day.  

What will I learn? 

An overview of Biofoundries, automation, and Engineering Biology applications for high-throughput experimentation for plants and microbes.

Considerations for when and when not to use automation for projects.

An overview of experimental workflows for high-throughput applications and a demonstration of key relevant equipment including the Opentrons and Hamilton liquid handlers. 

Who is this event for? 

This workshop is for scientists at all levels with an interest in learning about Biofoundries,  automation and applications in engineering biology. This workshop is open to PhD students, Postdocs, Research professionals and technical staff from both an academic and industry setting.

Bursaries 

The UK RAS STEPS programme has kindly agreed to six places for Research Technical Professionals who work in or with robotics. Bursaries will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with one place offered per institution. All travel, accommodation and subsistence costs can be reimbursed. 

To register free of charge, please email the training team detailing your eligibility as an RTP and we will provide you with the code to register free-of-charge.

Successful applicants will receive a confirmation letter from UK RAS STEPS, with information on how their institutions can claim all costs related to your attendance.

For more information on UK RAS STEPS, and other training and funding initiatives offered through the programme, visit https://www.ukras-steps.org/ and follow UK RAS STEPS on Linkedin for updates.

Sponsors

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Logo of UK RAS STEPS


 

Register today.

Registration deadline: 08 February 2026

Participation: First come, first served

Register your interest in attending Automation and Engineering Biology for Plant & Microbial Systems  today.