Will AI Replace Molecular and Cellular Biologists?

Maintain accurate laboratory records and data.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Design molecular or cellular laboratory experiments, oversee their execution, and interpret results.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Write grant applications to obtain funding.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform laboratory procedures following protocols including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing, cloning and extraction, ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification, or gel electrophoresis.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Conduct research on cell organization and function, including mechanisms of gene expression, cellular bioinformatics, cell signaling, or cell differentiation.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare or review reports, manuscripts, or meeting presentations.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Instruct undergraduate and graduate students within the areas of cellular or molecular biology.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Direct, coordinate, organize, or prioritize biological laboratory activities.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Compile and analyze molecular or cellular experimental data and adjust experimental designs as necessary.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Evaluate new technologies to enhance or complement current research.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Provide scientific direction for project teams regarding the evaluation or handling of devices, drugs, or cells for in vitro and in vivo disease models.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Supervise technical personnel and postdoctoral research fellows.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Monitor or operate specialized equipment, such as gas chromatographs and high pressure liquid chromatographs, electrophoresis units, thermocyclers, fluorescence activated cell sorters, and phosphorimagers.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Conduct applied research aimed at improvements in areas such as disease testing, crop quality, pharmaceuticals, and the harnessing of microbes to recycle waste.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Develop guidelines for procedures such as the management of viruses.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Develop assays that monitor cell characteristics.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Coordinate molecular or cellular research activities with scientists specializing in other fields.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Verify all financial, physical, and human resources assigned to research or development projects are used as planned.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Evaluate new supplies and equipment to ensure operability in specific laboratory settings.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Participate in all levels of bioproduct development, including proposing new products, performing market analyses, designing and performing experiments, and collaborating with operations and quality control teams during product launches.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Confer with vendors to evaluate new equipment or reagents or to discuss the customization of product lines to meet user requirements.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Design databases, such as mutagenesis libraries.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.