Highlights from the article: Design of experiments (DOE) enables scientists to explore complex, multidimensional spaces against a background of experimental variability with the minimum of resource. GLO:50EN/01jul19:pst1932-fig-0001.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): 1 The PCR simulator allows scientists to run cloning experiments for a range of conditions for a gene amplification polymer chain reaction. The PCR simulator provides a virtual experience of a complex laboratory protocol with the simulated reactions qualitatively matching real experiments.