Download a plasmid sequence file to the local filesystem. This actually downloads the file from Addgene and saves it locally. Use EXACTLY format=
AI agents use download_sequence_tool to create or update resources in Addgene — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Addgene environment.
The tool fetches data from an external source (Addgene) and writes a file to the local filesystem. This is a Write operation — it creates a new file on disk. It is not purely Read (has filesystem side effects) but is not Destructive, Financial, or Execute either. Misuse could fill disk or overwrite existing files, giving it medium severity.
From the tool's definition 'Download a plasmid sequence file to the local filesystem. This actually downloads the file from Addgene and saves it locally.'
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access download_sequence_tool gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Addgene, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for download_sequence_tool:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"download_sequence_tool": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "download_sequence_tool_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}download_sequence_tool stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Download a plasmid sequence file to the local filesystem. This actually downloads the file from Addgene and saves it locally. Use EXACTLY format=. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Addgene MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Addgene MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for download_sequence_tool: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Addgene. Nothing to install.
download_sequence_tool is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the download_sequence_tool rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for download_sequence_tool. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
download_sequence_tool is provided by the Addgene MCP server (longevity-genie/addgene-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Addgene, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
4 Addgene tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.