Orbit Labs · Applied research

Engineering better biology through artificial intelligence

Orbit Labs builds computational tools, laboratory robotics, and machine learning systems that support biological and environmental research — from genome analysis to freshwater biodiversity monitoring.

7
active research disciplines
3
research stages we report against
1
campus, multiple lab environments
Live lab telemetry
SEQ_QUEUE41
MODEL_RUNS128
QC_SIGNALnominal
Why we exist

Biological research generates more data than any single lab can interpret by hand. Orbit Labs designs the software, models, and robotics that help researchers process that data faster and more reliably — without replacing the scientific judgment behind it.

We work across computational biology, environmental monitoring, and laboratory automation, operating as a research division of Orbit AI. Our output is code, models, instruments, and published methods — not consumer products. Everything below distinguishes between what is running today, what is being tested, and what remains a longer-term goal.

01 — Research

Seven disciplines, one shared data layer

Each group works independently but shares infrastructure — the same sequencing pipelines, compute cluster, and model registry — so findings in one discipline can be reused in another.

01
Computational BiologyModeling
Builds statistical and machine learning models of biological sequences and structures, used to prioritize which lab experiments are worth running.
Current work
02
BioinformaticsPipelines
Maintains the pipelines that turn raw sequencer output into annotated, searchable datasets used across every other discipline at Orbit Labs.
Current work
03
Environmental DNAMonitoring
Detects species presence from trace genetic material in water and soil samples, applied to freshwater biodiversity surveys.
Current work
04
GenomicsSequencing
Runs and interprets whole-genome and targeted sequencing for research partners, with an internal focus on non-model organisms.
Current work
05
Laboratory RoboticsAutomation
Designs liquid-handling and sample-prep automation to reduce manual error in repetitive wet-lab steps ahead of sequencing.
Experimental
06
Scientific SimulationHPC
Runs molecular dynamics and population-level simulations on internal compute, used to generate hypotheses ahead of wet-lab validation.
Experimental
07
Machine LearningAI-assisted science
Develops the shared model infrastructure other disciplines build on, including sequence classifiers and anomaly detection for lab instruments.
Current work
02 — Technology

The platforms our research runs on

Four systems used daily across the organization. None of them are external products — they exist to serve Orbit Labs' own research.

Compute cluster

An on-site HPC cluster with cloud burst capacity for genome assembly, molecular simulation, and model training workloads.

Model registry

A versioned store of sequence and structure models, so every discipline can audit which model version produced a given result.

Sample-prep robotics

Automated liquid handling for library preparation, reducing hands-on time and improving run-to-run consistency ahead of sequencing.

Data ingestion pipeline

Standardizes and quality-checks raw sequencer and sensor output before it enters shared storage, with full provenance tracking.

03 — Featured project

Continuous freshwater biodiversity monitoring

A joint effort between our Environmental DNA and Laboratory Robotics groups, shown here at its actual stage of progress.

SITE_014 · TRIBUTARY_NORTH eDNA metabarcoding · 18S + COI markers
Method
eDNA metabarcoding
Environment
Freshwater tributaries
Lead groups
Environmental DNA · Robotics
Status
Field pilot, year 2

From manual sample collection to automated, continuous monitoring

Traditional biodiversity surveys rely on researchers manually collecting water samples and shipping them to a lab for sequencing — a process that can take weeks. This project tests whether that turnaround can be shortened using portable sequencing and on-site sample processing, without compromising the accuracy of species detection.

Current — deployed
Manual sample collection with lab-based metabarcoding, running at four tributary sites.
Experimental — in field testing
Portable nanopore sequencing on-site, cross-validated against lab results before results are trusted.
Long-term ambition
Unattended sensor stations providing near-continuous species-presence data across a watershed.
04 — Governance & ethics

How decisions get reviewed

Two separate but related structures: who is accountable for the organization, and what principles constrain the research itself.

Governance
01Independent scientific advisory board

Reviews research direction and methodology on a recurring basis, separate from day-to-day management.

02Biosafety committee

Approves any work involving live organisms or environmental sample handling before it begins.

03Data governance lead

Owns access controls and retention policy for genomic and environmental datasets.

04Reporting line to Orbit AI

Orbit Labs operates as a research division, with budget and risk oversight from its parent company.

Research ethics
01Sample and site consent

Environmental sampling only occurs with landowner or regulatory authorization on record.

02Open methodology

Pipeline code and model architectures are documented internally in a form suitable for external review on request.

03No dual-use research

Projects with plausible dual-use biosecurity risk are declined at the proposal stage.

04Honest stage reporting

Every project states whether a result is established, experimental, or aspirational — the same convention used on this site.

05 — Careers

Built by a small number of specialists, not a large generalist team

We hire for depth in a specific discipline first. Most roles sit inside one research group and collaborate with the shared infrastructure teams as needed.

Computational BiologyBioinformaticsML Engineering RoboticsWet LabPlatform & HPC
View open roles →

Open positions are shared through direct outreach and our contact form — check the Careers inquiry type below.

06 — Contact

Reach the right team directly

Pick what best describes your inquiry — it changes who the message routes to internally.

Research collaboration01
For academic partnerships, shared datasets, or joint field work.
Media & press02
For interview requests or fact-checking coverage about Orbit Labs.
Investor relations03
Routed to Orbit AI's investor relations contact.
Careers04
General applications and questions about open roles.
General inquiry05
Anything that doesn't fit the categories above.

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