Iacob spent 4 years writing C++ instrument control software on a clinical-grade IVD platform before co-founding QPillars in 2024. That domain depth - host control, hardware abstraction, regulated-grade architecture, audit-ready software - is the foundation of every QPillars engagement.
At QPillars he leads the technical architecture across the full stack: host control in C++, AI agent surface in Python (MCP, SiLA 2), operator UI in TypeScript / Next.js. For new IEC 62304 Class C programs he has shipped a greenfield Rust communication library (Ferrocene's Class C qualification, January 2025, makes Rust legally usable in regulated medical software). Default stack remains C++; Rust is a defensive option, not a default.
Iacob co-founded QPillars in Zurich in 2024 with the conviction that laboratory instruments deserve the same software-engineering posture that powers modern cloud platforms - agent-native, standards-clean, built to be operated by AI alongside humans.
Areas of Expertise
Instrument Control Software (C++)
Soft real-time host control for laboratory instruments - serial, USB, CAN, GPIB, TCP/IP. 4 years on a clinical-grade IVD platform, zero patient-impacting defects on shipped work.
Rust for Regulated Software (defensive)
Greenfield Rust communication and firmware-serialization library shipped on a clinical-grade IVD platform (2025). Recommended where Ferrocene's IEC 62304 Class C qualification justifies the toolchain investment - not as a default.
AI Agent Surface for Instruments
MCP servers and SiLA 2 drivers. Planner-executor patterns with pre-tool-call validation, plan simulation, and human-in-the-loop approval. Open-source contributions via openapi-to-sila2 on PyPI.
Forward-Deployed Engineering
Founder on every architecture call, every code review, every customer call. Two delivered references in QPillars' first 21 months (Lino Biotech, Ridgeview Instruments).
Background
C++ Instrument Control - Clinical-Grade IVD
4 years writing host control software on a clinical-grade IVD platform. Zero patient-impacting defects on shipped work.
Greenfield Rust on a Regulated Program (2025)
Shipped a Rust communication and firmware-serialization library for a new IEC 62304 Class C instrument program. Defensive capability, not a service line.
Co-founder, QPillars GmbH
Founded 2024 in Zurich. Forward-deployed instrument software services. Two delivered references in the first 21 months.
Open-source contribution
openapi-to-sila2 on PyPI under Apache 2.0 - generator that converts OpenAPI specifications to SiLA 2 Feature Definition Language.
Articles by Iacob
Launching SiLA 2 Studio: OpenAPI to SiLA 2 driver in two minutes
QPillars releases SiLA 2 Studio - a free hosted tool that generates a runnable Python SiLA 2 driver scaffold from any OpenAPI spec. Open-source generator under the hood.
Building an MCP Server for Laboratory Instruments on Top of Vendor SDKs - 4 Lessons From LiquidBridge
Lessons from wrapping liquid-handler vendor SDKs in an MCP server: adapter layering, pre-tool-call validation, async event channels, and plan simulation.
Why REST APIs and SiLA2 Don't Talk - And How to Bridge Them
REST and SiLA2 use incompatible wire protocols. openapi-to-sila2 auto-generates SiLA2 FDL XML and gRPC stubs from an OpenAPI spec - bridge in minutes.
Self-Driving Labs in 2026 - What Actually Works vs. What's Still Hype
An evidence-based analysis of self-driving laboratories in 2026. What SDL technology actually ships, what remains marketing, and why the software middleware layer is the real bottleneck.
Laboratory Automation Software Comparison 2026 - LIMS, ELN, and the Rise of API-First Platforms
Comprehensive comparison of laboratory automation software in 2026. LIMS vs ELN vs custom platforms, vendor middleware vs API-first vs MCP-native architectures, and a decision framework for labs.
Agentic AI for Lab Workflows - From Scripts to Autonomous Systems
How AI agents replace rigid lab automation scripts with systems that reason, adapt, and compose multi-step workflows. Architecture patterns, safety, and the realistic path forward.
What Is a Digital Twin for Laboratories? A Practical Guide
A digital twin laboratory creates a live virtual replica of lab instruments and workflows. Learn architecture, use cases, and AI-driven protocol testing.
How to Connect AI Agents to Lab Instruments with MCP
A practical guide to building AI instrument control software with MCP. TypeScript code walkthrough, architecture patterns, and comparison to REST/SDK integrations.
Why Rust Is the Future of Laboratory Instrument Control
Rust laboratory instrument control offers memory safety, real-time performance, and regulatory compliance that C++ cannot match. Here is why we are making the switch.
The Future of AI-Powered Instrument Control
How MCP enables AI agents to control lab instruments, why current LIMS/ELN integrations fall short, and how QPillars approaches the problem differently.
MCP Protocol - A New Standard for Lab Automation
What is the Model Context Protocol, why it matters for scientific instruments, and how it compares to traditional API integrations in laboratory environments.
Want to discuss instrument software?
Iacob is always happy to talk about laboratory automation, instrument control, and how AI can transform lab workflows.
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