Key Takeaways
- BioClaw is a bioinformatics AI agent built on OpenClaw — run BLAST, build phylogenetic trees, and analyze sequences from any messaging app
- 17 bioinformatics skills pre-installed: BLAST, multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetics, primer design, ORF finding, and more
- Works on WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Feishu — any platform OpenClaw supports
- Docker deployment recommended — includes all bioinformatics tools pre-configured
- Developed by Runchuan-BU, open-source under MIT license
What Is BioClaw?
BioClaw is a bioinformatics AI agent built on OpenClaw. Instead of opening a terminal and typing BLAST commands, you drop a protein sequence into your group chat and get results back — with publication-ready formatting.
Core attributes:
- Category: Bioinformatics AI agent
- Base framework: OpenClaw (TypeScript)
- Repository: Runchuan-BU/BioClaw
- Skills: 17 bioinformatics skills pre-installed
- Deployment: Docker recommended
- License: MIT
17 Bioinformatics Skills
| Skill | What It Does |
|---|---|
| BLAST | Sequence similarity search against NCBI databases |
| Multiple Sequence Alignment | Align multiple sequences using MUSCLE/ClustalW |
| Phylogenetic Trees | Build and visualize evolutionary trees |
| Primer Design | Design PCR primers with Tm and GC% optimization |
| ORF Finding | Identify open reading frames in nucleotide sequences |
| Protein Structure | Predict and visualize 3D protein structures |
| Gene Annotation | Annotate genomic features |
| Sequence Format Conversion | Convert between FASTA, GenBank, EMBL formats |
| Restriction Analysis | Find restriction enzyme cut sites |
| Codon Optimization | Optimize codon usage for expression systems |
Plus 7 additional specialized skills for genomics and molecular biology workflows.
Quick Start with Docker
Pull and Run
docker pull bioclaw/bioclaw:latest
docker run -d -p 3000:3000 \
-e OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-xxx \
-e ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-xxx \
bioclaw/bioclaw:latestConnect Your Messaging App
# Telegram
docker run -d -e TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN=xxx bioclaw/bioclaw:latest
# WhatsApp (via WhatsApp Web bridge)
docker run -d -e WHATSAPP_ENABLED=true bioclaw/bioclaw:latestTest with a BLAST Query
Send this message in your connected app:
BLAST this sequence against nr database:
MKWVTFISLLFLFSSAYSRGVFRRDAHKSEVAHRFKDLGEENFKALVLIAFAQYLQQSPFEDHVKLVNEVTEFAKTCVADESAENCDKSBioClaw will run BLAST, format the results, and send them back with top hits, E-values, and alignment summaries.
Who Should Use BioClaw?
| User Type | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Wet lab biologists | Quick sequence checks without opening a terminal |
| Research groups | Shared bioinformatics assistant in the lab group chat |
| Teaching | Students can run bioinformatics queries from their phones |
| Field researchers | Access bioinformatics tools from mobile devices |
BioClaw vs ClawBio
These two projects share similar names but have different philosophies:
| Aspect | BioClaw | ClawBio |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Accessibility — run bioinfo from any chat app | Security — audit every analysis step |
| Interface | Multi-platform messaging (WhatsApp, Discord, etc.) | CLI/API, no messaging integration |
| Workflows | AI-generated on the fly | Pre-approved by domain experts |
| Reproducibility | Standard output | Cryptographic reproducibility bundles |
| Best for | Quick analyses, teaching, accessibility | Clinical research, audited environments |
See our ClawBio vs BioClaw comparison for a full deep dive.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need bioinformatics tools installed locally?
With Docker, no — everything is pre-configured. Without Docker, you'll need BLAST+, MUSCLE, and other tools installed on your system.
Q2: Can I add custom bioinformatics skills?
Yes. BioClaw uses the standard OpenClaw skill format. Create a SKILL.md file for your tool and add it to the skills directory.
Q3: Is it suitable for analyzing sensitive patient data?
BioClaw sends data to cloud LLM providers by default. For sensitive data, use a local LLM backend (Ollama) or consider ClawBio which keeps all data local.
Q4: What LLM providers are supported?
Any provider supported by OpenClaw — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Ollama, and more.
Q5: Can multiple people use the same BioClaw instance?
Yes. When deployed in a group chat, all members can interact with the same BioClaw instance. Useful for research lab group chats.
Summary
BioClaw is the fastest way to get bioinformatics AI assistance — install via Docker, connect your messaging app, and start running BLAST queries from your phone. With 17 pre-installed skills covering the core bioinformatics toolkit, it turns any group chat into a shared bioinformatics workstation. Best for accessibility and teaching; consider ClawBio for audit-sensitive environments.