DIVA: DNA design, implementation, and verification automation platform

DNA construction is vital to a broad range of biological research, yet it is predominantly an inefficient diversion from researchers’ core research goals and expertise. We have developed a Design, Implementation, and Verification Automation (DIVA) platform to liberate researchers from building DNA, enabling them to instead focus on designing and testing their experiments of interest. DIVA’s web interface allows researchers to design DNA constructs using visual biological computer-aided design tools and existing parts from registries, submit their designs to a central construction queue, track DNA construction as it progresses, and then (in a few weeks) receive notice that their sequence-verified constructs have been completed. A small number of dedicated DIVA staff (responsible for DNA construction) use the DIVA web interface to evaluate submitted designs for feasibility, design assembly protocols using DNA assembly design automation software, and capture success and failure rates and pipeline performance metrics. With DNA construction occurring in a centralized location, DIVA staff can aggregate multiple independent construction tasks to scales that significantly benefit from laboratory automation, as well as leverage DNA synthesis and high-throughput next-gen sequencing capabilities. This presentation will include the initial results from the first few months of the platform’s deployment at the Joint BioEnergy Institute, as well as a demonstration of the DIVA software.