{
  "abstract": "Here we introduce OpenEvo, a fully open-source, low-cost turbidostat platform for automated continuous culture and directed evolution experiments. Existing tools are expensive, complex, or lack open-source hardware; OpenEvo fills this gap with a complete, fully automated evolution platform, detailed illustrated construction instructions for beginners, open-source software and firmware, and a price point around $300. An optional PC-based interface offers enhanced functionality, including remote access, programmable evolution cycles, programmable LED stimulation, and a data visualization tool. OpenEvo can cycle through three types of media for positive, negative, and neutral selection conditions, supporting a wide range of experimental designs. We validate the use of OpenEvo by evolving Haloferax volcanii to grow from 15% to 12% salt over ~150 cycles, ~1,000 hours. Evolved cells grew 55% faster than wild-type at 12% salt. Whole-genome sequencing of adapted cells found SNPs and large deletions. We also demonstrate positive and negative selection using the OpenEvo LEDs to drive optogenetics via a Phytochrome B-based optogenetic tool, with light as the selection stimulus during over 4000 hours of growth. OpenEvo lowers the technical and cost barriers for continuous evolution experiments, serves as a teaching tool, and is designed to grow an open community of users who share modifications.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Stanford University"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "S. S. Cocioba"
    },
    {
      "name": "P.-C. Huang"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Mallon"
    },
    {
      "name": "Z. Chan"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. W. Geremew"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Bisson"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "P. Kyriakakis"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8aszvzswasa76.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.07.06.735356",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.735356v2.full",
  "id": "8aszvzswasa76",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.735356v2",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "bioengineering"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1311|Evolution and Genetic Dynamics"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7167602725",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.735356v2.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-07-06",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8aszvzswasa76.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:25:25Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.07.06.735356",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.735356v2"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:bioengineering",
      "subfield": "systems-synthetic"
    }
  ],
  "title": "OpenEvo: An Open-Source Platform for Automated Evolution and Analysis",
  "title_text": "OpenEvo: An Open-Source Platform for Automated Evolution and Analysis",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:25:25Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8aszvzswasa76",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}