OpenEvo: An Open-Source Platform for Automated Evolution and Analysis
- 1Stanford University
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.
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BibTeX
@misc{cocioba2026openevo,
title = {{OpenEvo: An Open-Source Platform for Automated Evolution and Analysis}},
author = {S. S. Cocioba and P.-C. Huang and J. Mallon and Z. Chan and A. W. Geremew and A. Bisson and P. Kyriakakis},
howpublished = {bioRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.64898/2026.07.06.735356},
url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.735356v2},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - OpenEvo: An Open-Source Platform for Automated Evolution and Analysis
AU - S. S. Cocioba
AU - P.-C. Huang
AU - J. Mallon
AU - Z. Chan
AU - A. W. Geremew
AU - A. Bisson
AU - P. Kyriakakis
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/06
PB - bioRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.07.06.735356
UR - https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.06.735356v2
AB - 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.
ER -