Technology Development
Automated Experimentation & Genome-Wide Analysis
At the center of our technology platform are the ALEbots — automated systems that culture microbes and run adaptive laboratory evolution around the clock, turning a slow manual craft into a high-throughput engineering and discovery tool. Every experiment feeds our mutation-analysis pipelines and ALEdb, building an unmatched record of how genomes change under selection. We close the loop with genome-scale models and omics analysis that connect genotype to phenotype and turn that data into predictions.
Research and Applications
From New Biology to Real Applications
Evolution constantly reveals biology we didn't know was possible — new traits, novel genetic content, and unexpected routes from genotype to phenotype. Our platform lets us capture those discoveries systematically, deepening the fundamental understanding of how microbes adapt. That same work translates directly into application: strains evolved for commercial biomanufacturing — from melatonin and specialty chemicals to spores that break down plastic — proof that evolutionary engineering is a powerful tool for applied microbiology.
Education
Educating the Next Generation
Our lab is a hands-on training ground where students and researchers learn to work at the intersection of automation, evolution, and computational biology — across our sites in San Diego and Copenhagen. That teaching extends into the classroom and workshops, and through open resources like ALEdb and our shared ALE Core facility, equipping collaborators at universities, national labs, and companies worldwide. The goal is to make these tools and data accessible, so the next generation of bioengineers can put evolution, modeling, and systems biology to work.
Technology Development
Automated Experimentation & Genome-Wide Analysis
At the center of our technology platform are the ALEbots — automated systems that culture microbes and run adaptive laboratory evolution around the clock, turning a slow manual craft into a high-throughput engineering and discovery tool. Every experiment feeds our mutation-analysis pipelines and ALEdb, building an unmatched record of how genomes change under selection. We close the loop with genome-scale models and omics analysis that connect genotype to phenotype and turn that data into predictions.
Research and Applications
From New Biology to Real Applications
Evolution constantly reveals biology we didn't know was possible — new traits, novel genetic content, and unexpected routes from genotype to phenotype. Our platform lets us capture those discoveries systematically, deepening the fundamental understanding of how microbes adapt. That same work translates directly into application: strains evolved for commercial biomanufacturing — from melatonin and specialty chemicals to spores that break down plastic — proof that evolutionary engineering is a powerful tool for applied microbiology.
Education
Educating the Next Generation
Our lab is a hands-on training ground where students and researchers learn to work at the intersection of automation, evolution, and computational biology — across our sites in San Diego and Copenhagen. That teaching extends into the classroom and workshops, and through open resources like ALEdb and our shared ALE Core facility, equipping collaborators at universities, national labs, and companies worldwide. The goal is to make these tools and data accessible, so the next generation of bioengineers can put evolution, modeling, and systems biology to work.
Technology Development
Automated Experimentation & Genome-Wide Analysis
At the center of our technology platform are the ALEbots — automated systems that culture microbes and run adaptive laboratory evolution around the clock, turning a slow manual craft into a high-throughput engineering and discovery tool. Every experiment feeds our mutation-analysis pipelines and ALEdb, building an unmatched record of how genomes change under selection. We close the loop with genome-scale models and omics analysis that connect genotype to phenotype and turn that data into predictions.
Research and Applications
From New Biology to Real Applications
Evolution constantly reveals biology we didn't know was possible — new traits, novel genetic content, and unexpected routes from genotype to phenotype. Our platform lets us capture those discoveries systematically, deepening the fundamental understanding of how microbes adapt. That same work translates directly into application: strains evolved for commercial biomanufacturing — from melatonin and specialty chemicals to spores that break down plastic — proof that evolutionary engineering is a powerful tool for applied microbiology.
Education
Educating the Next Generation
Our lab is a hands-on training ground where students and researchers learn to work at the intersection of automation, evolution, and computational biology — across our sites in San Diego and Copenhagen. That teaching extends into the classroom and workshops, and through open resources like ALEdb and our shared ALE Core facility, equipping collaborators at universities, national labs, and companies worldwide. The goal is to make these tools and data accessible, so the next generation of bioengineers can put evolution, modeling, and systems biology to work.
Technology Development
Automated Experimentation & Genome-Wide Analysis
At the center of our technology platform are the ALEbots — automated systems that culture microbes and run adaptive laboratory evolution around the clock, turning a slow manual craft into a high-throughput engineering and discovery tool. Every experiment feeds our mutation-analysis pipelines and ALEdb, building an unmatched record of how genomes change under selection. We close the loop with genome-scale models and omics analysis that connect genotype to phenotype and turn that data into predictions.
Research and Applications
From New Biology to Real Applications
Evolution constantly reveals biology we didn't know was possible — new traits, novel genetic content, and unexpected routes from genotype to phenotype. Our platform lets us capture those discoveries systematically, deepening the fundamental understanding of how microbes adapt. That same work translates directly into application: strains evolved for commercial biomanufacturing — from melatonin and specialty chemicals to spores that break down plastic — proof that evolutionary engineering is a powerful tool for applied microbiology.
Education
Educating the Next Generation
Our lab is a hands-on training ground where students and researchers learn to work at the intersection of automation, evolution, and computational biology — across our sites in San Diego and Copenhagen. That teaching extends into the classroom and workshops, and through open resources like ALEdb and our shared ALE Core facility, equipping collaborators at universities, national labs, and companies worldwide. The goal is to make these tools and data accessible, so the next generation of bioengineers can put evolution, modeling, and systems biology to work.
WHAT WE DO
Lab Automation
Developing autonomous experimental platforms that combine robotics, real-time monitoring, and custom software.
Lab Automation
Developing autonomous experimental platforms that combine robotics, real-time monitoring, and custom software.
Microbial Engineering
Engineering microbial systems to better understand biological processes and enable new applications in biotechnology.
Microbial Engineering
Engineering microbial systems to better understand biological processes and enable new applications in biotechnology.
Quantitative Biology
Using computational tools, data analysis, and modeling to uncover patterns in complex biological systems.
Quantitative Biology
Using computational tools, data analysis, and modeling to uncover patterns in complex biological systems.
OUR IMPACT
Publications
Peer-reviewed publications and associated datasets and models advancing automation, adaptive laboratory evolution, metabolic engineering, and genome-scale systems biology.
Publications
Peer-reviewed publications and associated datasets and models advancing automation, adaptive laboratory evolution, metabolic engineering, and genome-scale systems biology.
Scientists Trained
PhD and master's students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and undergraduates mentored in the lab.
Scientists Trained
PhD and master's students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and undergraduates mentored in the lab.
Collaborations
Partner companies, national laboratories, and universities across four continents driving scientific discovery and meaningful applications.
Collaborations
Partner companies, national laboratories, and universities across four continents driving scientific discovery and meaningful applications.
Evolved Populations
Independent populations evolved through adaptive laboratory evolution to study microbial adaptation and evolutionary change.
Evolved Populations
Independent populations evolved through adaptive laboratory evolution to study microbial adaptation and evolutionary change.
FEATURED
LAB TOPICS
LAB FOCUS
We use adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE), a type of evolutionary engineering, to improve microbial strains by letting organisms evolve under controlled conditions. Combining automation, experimental design, and genomic analysis, we identify beneficial mutations that enhance growth, tolerance, production, and more across diverse organisms.
Adaptive Laboratory Evolution
Adaptive Laboratory Evolution
Evolving microbes for application and discovery
Laboratory Automation
High-throughput experimental platforms
Bioinformatics
Mutation analysis and ALEdb
Microbial Engineering
Engineering microbes for biotechnology
Systems Biology
Genome-scale measurement and modeling
LAB FOCUS
We use adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE), a type of evolutionary engineering, to improve microbial strains by letting organisms evolve under controlled conditions. Combining automation, experimental design, and genomic analysis, we identify beneficial mutations that enhance growth, tolerance, production, and more across diverse organisms.
Adaptive Laboratory Evolution
Adaptive Laboratory Evolution
Evolving microbes for application and discovery
Laboratory Automation
High-throughput experimental platforms
Bioinformatics
Mutation analysis and ALEdb
Microbial Engineering
Engineering microbes for biotechnology
Systems Biology
Genome-scale measurement and modeling
Lab Locations
San Diego, CA
University of California San Diego
Copenhagen, Denmark
Technical University of Denmark
Get in Touch
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. More information about Proposition 209 can be found here. More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here. Initiatives are open to all eligible members of the UC San Diego campus community and does not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
©2026 by Adam Feist and UC San Diego. All rights reserved.
Lab Locations
San Diego, CA
University of California San Diego
Copenhagen, Denmark
Technical University of Denmark
Get in Touch
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. More information about Proposition 209 can be found here. More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here. Initiatives are open to all eligible members of the UC San Diego campus community and does not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
©2026 by Adam Feist and UC San Diego. All rights reserved.