Iacob is an Informatics Olympiad medalist with over 10 years of software engineering experience. He spent 4 years building instrument control systems for high-throughput IVD diagnostic platforms - working on the cobas platform, one of the most complex automated laboratory systems in the world.
At QPillars, he leads the technical architecture across the full stack - from Rust-based instrument drivers and real-time control systems to AI agent orchestration with MCP protocol. His competitive programming background shapes how the team approaches performance-critical problems in laboratory automation.
Iacob co-founded QPillars in Zürich in 2024 with the conviction that laboratory instruments deserve the same caliber of software infrastructure that powers modern cloud platforms - intelligent, connected, and built for scientists.
Areas of Expertise
Instrument Control Software
Real-time control systems for laboratory instruments - serial protocols, USB, TCP/IP. Experience with high-throughput diagnostic platforms processing thousands of samples per hour.
Rust for Embedded Systems
Memory-safe, high-performance instrument drivers. Rust for control loops, data acquisition, and safety-critical laboratory operations.
AI Agent Orchestration
MCP-first architectures that let AI agents control physical instruments. Planner-executor patterns with human-in-the-loop approval for laboratory workflows.
Digital Twin Platforms
LiquidBridge - digital twin for liquid handling robots. Protocol simulation, AI-driven optimization, and virtual lab environments.
Background
National Informatics Olympiad Medalist
Competitive programming at the national level
Instrument Control - cobas Platform
4 years building control software for one of the most complex automated IVD diagnostic platforms
Co-founder, QPillars GmbH
Founded 2024 in Zürich - intelligent software infrastructure for life sciences laboratories
10+ Years Software Engineering
Full-stack - Rust, C++, TypeScript, Python, FastAPI, Next.js, React
Articles by Iacob
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.
Get in Touch