He is also affiliated with the UNM Center for Biomedical Engineering. He conducts research on the design and experimental realization of nanoscale computing systems using biomolecules such as DNA. He builds software tools for the design of biomolecular computing networks, works on reasoning techniques to understand and verify their behavior, constructs experimental systems that exhibit novel dynamic behaviors, and works towards applications of biomolecular computers to monitor and control biological and chemical systems, for practical applications such as biomedical diagnostics. Lakin frequently collaborates with researchers in the UNM Health Science Center as well as with his former colleagues at Microsoft Research.