The MARS Repository was created with the purpose of designing generalized chips relevant to synthetic biology.

Microfluidic devices are often highly specific, performing entire specialized experiments on a chip. This means that these chips are not useful or relevant to an average member of the synthetic biology community.

With this in mind, we set out to make the MARS repository. This repository would consist of generalized microfluidic chips that could be useful to any synthetic biologist.

To determine what protocols synbiologist would find useful on a microfluidic devices, we reached out the the Biological Design Center located at Boston University. This community of synthetic biologists gave us insight as to what what procedures are performed every day in the average synbio lab. We were able to identify eight protocols integral to synthetic biology: Cell Lysis, DNA Digestion, Ligation, Transformation, PCR, Fluorescence Testing, Antibiotic Resistance Testing, and Cell Culturing. These eight protocols, as well as Cell Sorting, make up the nine chips currently located in the MARS repository.

Each of the nine chips located in the MARS repository are located within one of three subcategories:

These nine chips, each performing a basic individual protocol, can be combined together to perform more complex synthetic biology experiments.

Each chip is fully documented, providing all the necessary files for replication and usage. These files include:

1. Design Files
2. Manufacturing Specifications and Instructions
3. Usage and Testing protocols

as well as other useful tools and resources to make them as accessible as possible.

After consultation with researchers at BU’s Biological Design Center, we were able to identify nine essential synthetic biology protocols and generalize them into these three categories. After confirming that this chip selection was relevant with an iGEM team poll, we moved on to designing and iterating on chips. The resulting design files, fabrication instructions and usage protocols are housed here - easily accessible to synbiologists and structured in a standardised workflow.