The.lab runs on standard, open-source genomics software — the same tools used by research institutions worldwide.

These tools are available under their respective open-source licenses for private use by all parties. Open-source does not mean unlicensed. Each tool carries specific terms that we respect and follow. Some require attribution. Some restrict commercial redistribution. Some mandate that derivative works carry the same license. All of these terms matter, and we honor them.

Rather than enumerate individual products in a public forum, we describe capabilities by function. We talk about “sequence alignment” rather than naming the aligner. We talk about “variant annotation” rather than listing the annotation engine. This isn’t evasion — it’s respect for the distinction between describing what we do and promoting specific tools.

The distinction matters because open-source software exists in a complex licensing landscape. Many projects have migrated from permissive to copyleft licenses (or vice versa) over their lifetimes. Some tools are open-source for academic use but require commercial licenses for other contexts. Some are maintained by communities; others by corporations that could change terms in future releases.

We track these distinctions carefully. We comply with every license we operate under. And we believe that the best way to honor the open-source community is to use their tools responsibly, contribute back where we can, and avoid creating the impression that any single tool endorses or is endorsed by the.lab.

If you’re building something similar and have licensing questions, reach out — we’re happy to point you in the right direction.

Sasha Regan Studio Lab