A research team led by Professor Joongoo Lee at POSTECH reported a method to cut the cost of building reconstituted cell-free systems by 95%. The work uses an automated, modular assembly approach to create test-tube protein production systems outside living cells. Lowering the cost and complexity of cell-free platforms can expand access for academic labs and speed iteration for protein engineering, assay development, and early-stage formulation work—especially where rapid prototyping is required before moving into more expensive manufacturing workflows.