New facility at Washington national lab will give researchers free access to automated tools

PNNL Director Deb Gracio, third from left, at a groundbreaking for the Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability in Richland, Wash. (PNNL Photo / Eric Francavilla) A first-of-its-kind autonomous research facility is taking shape in central Washington that will provide free access to scientists studying bacteria, yeast and other microorganisms. The Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) broke ground on the lab, which will open in 2029.