What if we could program cells to perform the functions we need? Locbio, a startup in LAB+’s first cohort, is working to make that possible by developing a platform for building custom biosensors that can write new instructions into cells. In essence, it functions as a new programming language for biology.
The biosensors developed by Locbio are engineered proteins designed to detect a specific molecule and trigger a response when they encounter it. They work as a two-part system: one module recognizes the target molecule, while the other produces an output, such as emitting light, generating fluorescence, activating an enzyme, or altering cellular behavior—for example, by releasing a therapeutic molecule. Because these modules can be mixed and matched, researchers can easily change what a biosensor detects and how it responds without redesigning it from scratch, much like swapping LEGO bricks.
To create the sensing module, the team uses artificial intelligence to design entirely new proteins that do not exist in nature. This makes it possible to generate proteins capable of binding with remarkable specificity to virtually any molecule. Thanks to these AI-powered tools, a process that once required years of laboratory work can now begin with a computer-generated design produced in just a few hours.
In recent months, Locbio has experimentally validated this technology, demonstrating that it can detect a wide range of molecules, from small-molecule drugs to proteins.
With this validation in hand, the company is now taking the next step: moving the platform beyond the laboratory and into real-world applications. These include optimizing bioprocesses, developing new diagnostic tools, and engineering bacteria that can target tumors with high precision, delivering therapeutic molecules directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
“Ultimately, we’re building a technology that makes it faster and more flexible to design biological systems capable of addressing challenges in healthcare, industry, and biotechnology,” said Felipe Trajtenberg, CEO and founder of Locbio.
