Search for plasmids in the Addgene repository using text queries and filters. You MUST use the exact string values specified in the parameter documentation. Common use cases: find plasmids for gene expression (specify species and expression system), gene editing (vector_types=
AI agents call search_plasmids_tool to retrieve information from Addgene without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs read-only operations against the Addgene plasmid repository. It searches, filters, and retrieves plasmid metadata and information without creating, modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. The risk is minimal as it only accesses existing data. Even if an AI agent misuses search parameters, it cannot cause harm beyond returning unwanted results.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Search[es] for plasmids" and "retrieve[s] plasmid data". The verb "search" combined with the description of querying and filtering a repository indicates data retrieval with no modifications or side effects.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access search_plasmids_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 search_plasmids_tool:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"search_plasmids_tool": {}
}
}search_plasmids_tool is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Search for plasmids in the Addgene repository using text queries and filters. You MUST use the exact string values specified in the parameter documentation. Common use cases: find plasmids for gene expression (specify species and expression system), gene editing (vector_types=. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Addgene MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Addgene MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_plasmids_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.
search_plasmids_tool is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search_plasmids_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 search_plasmids_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.
search_plasmids_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.