Bento Bio 🧬
Make DNA Science Yours.
Put the power of PCR in your hands with Bento Lab.
Content about DNA methods, field work and more.
https://bento.bio
- This is what makes portable equipment like our Bento Lab exciting - you can start quickly, get results on-site, and share skills to build local capacity. Molecular analysis doesn’t have to wait on sample transport. It can happen right where it matters, and it’s brilliant to see it in action here.
- Wonderful to see Amy Bei's team and their collaborators processing hundreds of malaria samples in real time, while training scientists from across the country! Congrats to all the fantastic team members across Yale, INSAPT, and PNUD Tchad!
- We recently deployed our favorite “lab in a suitcase” dynamic duo of #BentoLab and ONT #MinION to conduct real-time, in country multiplexed modular malaria amplicon sequencing by #MAD4HatTeR to inform public health policy decisions in Chad! #DecentralizedGenomicSurveillance
- Looking for a hands-on way to teach PCR? Here are four case studies using DNA barcoding: 🌿 Teach lab + bioinformatics 🌿 Insects, fungi, and algae 🌿 Formats from 3 days to full courses 🔗 Find out more: bento.bio/resources/ed...
- BeeCode Berlin, a pioneering citizen science project, helped high school students learn PCR by DNA barcoding honeybees: 🐝 Community centre labs using Bento Lab 🐝 DNA hackathons and poster event 🐝 Subspecies & genetic resilience insights 🔗 Find out more: bento.bio/story/dna-ba...
- Bringing PCR to the classroom? BioSTEM shows how hands-on genetics education can work, even in remote schools. 🧬 Real PCR experiments with Bento Lab 🧬 6,000+ students trained 🧬 Boosted genomics understanding 🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1186/s402...
- Interested in portable metagenomics for water samples? Here’s a very exciting preprint using Bento Lab + ONT MinION with a QUANTITATIVE workflow! ⭐5 field & 4 lab methods tested ⭐Results compared to digital PCR ⭐Field results comparable to lab performance 🔗👇 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
- Interested in how portable sequencing could improve patient care in remote & under-resourced hospitals? Here's a case report from Tanzania in which a mobile setup (Bento Lab + ONT MinION) helped to diagnose a child’s infection when routine tests failed! Read more here: www.cell.com/heliyon/full...
- Tunisian researchers map protozoan parasites in chickens and a probable nematode vector using Bento Lab! ⭐ First investigation of Trichomonadida diversity across Tunisia ⭐ H. meleagridis (blackhead disease) found in many samples ⭐ Insights for disease control 👉 Read more: doi.org/10.14411/fp....
- Portable genomics for food safety! Here's a recent preprint that introduces NOMAD: an on-site raw milk microbiome workflow using ONT MinION + Bento Lab. ⭐ Detects >90% of microbial diversity in 4h ⭐ Full workflow in 10.5h ⭐ Same-day farm decisions on spoilage 🔗 doi.org/10.1101/2025...
- Interested in portable metagenomics and cultural heritage? Here’s a new study in which a portable workflow using Bento Lab + ONT MinION was used to analyse biofilm recolonisation (inc. microbiome, resistome, & metabolic traits) on previously cleaned historic statues. 🔗 www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15...
- Interested in portable metagenomics for water samples? Here’s a new preprint using Bento Lab + ONT MinION with a quantitative workflow: ⭐5 field & 4 lab methods tested ⭐Results compared to digital PCR ⭐Field workflow comparable to lab performance 🔗 Read here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
- Need a fast, affordable & accessible way of extracting DNA from dried blood spots? Here are four methods you could consider: ⭐PBS-based 10-min incubation (birds) ⭐Weak alkaline lysis+wash → direct PCR ⭐Two strong alkaline lysis methods 🔗 Read here: bento.bio/resources/dn...
- On-site DNA testing to combat the illegal wildlife trade just got faster! VeRIF-ID + Bento Lab = portable species ID solution. 🌟 <3 h from sample to result 🌟 Works at customs & field sites 🌟 15 fish & bushmeat items ID’d in ~6 h 🔗 Read here: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
- Need to run PCR off-grid? From caves to forests to boats, here’s how to power Bento Lab outside the lab: 🔋 Required battery specs 🔋 Tested power stations (Powkey & Yeti) 🔋 Online energy usage calculator 👉 bento.bio/resources/be...
- Researchers map protozoan parasites in chickens using Bento Lab! ⭐First investigation of Trichomonadida diversity across Tunisia ⭐Histomonas meleagridis (blackhead disease) found in many samples ⭐ Insights for better disease control 🔗 Read more: folia.paru.cas.cz/artkey/fol-2...
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- Curious how PCR can help students study insect prey & parasites in the field? Researchers recently shared their 1-day Bento Lab protocol: 🕷️ Adaptable workflow for ecology studies 🕷️ Field-ready, practical steps 🕷️ Tested in 2023/24 & 2024/25 courses 🔗 slack.protocols.io:8443/view/field-b...
- Taking your Bento Lab outside the lab and into the field? This guide shares practical tips for setting up a temporary lab. How to: ⭐ Set up, power & pack your equipment ⭐ Run gels without a microwave ⭐ Avoid contamination & other issues 🔗 Read more: bento.bio/resources/be...
- Study tracks a deadly chimpanzee pathogen in the field! ⭐ 637 samples tested from sanctuaries & the wild across Africa ⭐ Field DNA extraction, PCR & gels with portable tools including Bento Lab ⭐ Insights on prevalence, seasonality & hotspots 🔗Read: www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...
- What if classrooms could generate biodiversity data? BeeCode Berlin helped students study honeybees using Bento Lab: 🐝 Insights into honeybee subspecies 🐝 The role of genetic diversity in resilience 🐝 DNA hackathons and poster event 🔗 Find out more: bento.bio/story/dna-ba...
- In-situ DNA sequencing in one of the world’s most remote caves? In Venezuela’s Imawarí Yeutá cave system, researchers built a field lab with Bento Lab + ONT MinION. ⭐Complete onsite workflow ⭐Offline analysis ⭐Insights into microbes & cave formation 🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.5194/egus...
- Pathogen & AMR monitoring directly from meat, lake water & sludge? This study used Bento Lab in the field: ⭐ DNA prep comparable to lab workflows ⭐ Pathogens detected in food & water ⭐ Resistance genes identified 🔗 Read summary + study: bento.bio/blog/2024/12...
- Need to screen plant or animal DNA before sequencing? This triplex PCR assay runs entirely on Bento Lab! 🌱 Single-tube triplex PCR: plant or animal 🌱 Field-ready workflow 🌱 Ready for Sanger sequencing 🔗 Find out more: bento.bio/story/rapid-...
- Great to see our HotSHOT DNA Extraction Kit being used for leaf-miner DNA barcoding, in a study by Sharrow et al. (2025): ⭐ Read how they did it: www.researchgate.net/publication/... ⭐ Check out the kit: bento.bio/product/hots...
- Struggling with smears or strange bands in your PCR? Our troubleshooting guide helps you identify and fix non-specific amplification: ⭐ Common PCR artefacts ⭐ Potential causes ⭐ Practical troubleshooting steps 🔗 Read more: bento.bio/resources/be...
- Sexing birds with PCR? Choosing the right primers is key! Not sure where to start? This guide helps you plan with confidence: 🐦 Searchable species table 🐦 Tips for validation + testing 🐦 Key papers for 200+ species 🔗 Find out more: bento.bio/protocol/bir...
- Looking for a hands-on way to teach PCR? Here are four case studies using DNA barcoding: 🌿 Teach lab + bioinformatics 🌿 Insects, fungi, and algae 🌿 Formats from 3 days to full courses 🔗 Read here: bento.bio/resources/ed...
- Researchers have developed a portable bird flu genomics workflow to track emerging strains in remote locations: 🧬 Bento Lab used to extract viral RNA 🧬 ONT MinION for genome sequencing 🧬 Full workflow on an Antarctic research vessel 🔗 Full story: bento.bio/story/tracki...
- Interested in rapid on-site microbial whole genome sequencing analysis? At a Roman monument, researchers used a portable setup for WGS of biofilms in ~38 hrs! 🧬 Bento Lab for DNA prep + gel check 🧬 ONT MinION for WGS 🧬 Functional genes + resistome 🔗 bento.bio/story/on-sit...
- Portable genomics for food safety! A new preprint introduces NOMAD: an on-site raw milk microbiome workflow using ONT MinION + Bento Lab. ⭐ Detects >90% of microbial diversity in 4h ⭐ Full workflow in 10.5h ⭐ Same-day farm decisions on spoilage 🔗 doi.org/10.1101/2025...
- DNA analysis beyond the lab? Researchers use Bento Lab everywhere—from boats & vet clinics to lakesides, mountain sites & museums. But what do researchers’ temporary labs really look like? 🔗See five real-world setups: bento.bio/resources/be...
- Thinking about using Bento Lab for PCR? Here are some things to consider when buying: ⭐ Bento Lab Entry or Pro? ⭐ Essentials for DNA extraction & PCR ⭐ Recommended extras 🔗 Find out more in our first-time buyers' guide: bento.bio/resources/be...
- Bringing PCR to the classroom? BioSTEM shows how hands-on genetics education can work, even in remote schools. 🧬 Real PCR experiments with Bento Lab 🧬 6,000+ students trained 🧬 Boosted genomics understanding 🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1186/s402...
- MolBio Tip 🧪 Crystals in your 10x TBE buffer after long storage? Totally normal! 👉 Warm above 40 °C to re-dissolve. ⭐ Light crystallisation may vanish after dilution. ⭐ Heavy crystallisation may need more heat/time. More in our product FAQ: bento.bio/product/tbe-...
- Need to run PCR where there’s no plug socket/electrical outlet? From caves to forests, here’s how to power Bento Lab in the field: ✅ Required battery specs ✅ Tested power stations (Powkey & Yeti) ✅ Real-world MinION library prep example 👉 bento.bio/resources/be...
- For anyone interested in rapid on-site virus detection, here’s a study using the portable real-time PCR PicoGene PCR1100 and Bento Lab to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA from surfaces. ⭐ RNA purification with Bento Lab ⭐ Results in 1 h ⭐ Sensitive to 500 copies/test 🔗 journals.asm.org/doi/full/10....
- Interested in how portable sequencing can improve patient care in remote hospitals? Here's a case report from Tanzania showing how a mobile setup (Bento Lab + ONT MinION) diagnosed a child’s infection when routine tests failed. 🔗 Read here: www.cell.com/heliyon/full...
- New study: LAMP + lateral flow for detecting pathogenic E. coli in wastewater, developed using Bento Lab ⭐ ~1 hr results ⭐ ~$30/11 samples ⭐ Differentiates strains by virulence factors Great potential for low-resource disease monitoring! 🔗 journals.asm.org/doi/full/10....
- Great to see Bento Lab in action with an Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing study of the chloroplast genome of Indonesian cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmanni)! 🌿 Even better: samples were from the type country & sequenced by Indonesian researchers. 🔗 Read more: f1000research.com/articles/13-...
- Can portable DNA tools detect unsafe drinking water? High schooler Noah Bryan developed a same-day test with Bento Lab + sequencing. ⭐ Results in <9h ⭐ Detects pathogens like Salmonella, Clostridium & Vibrio ⭐ A step toward safer drinking water access 🔗 Read more: bento.bio/story/rapid-...
- Bringing molecular biology into the field or classroom? Need portable, durable equipment? Have you considered Bento Lab? 🌟 Robust for classrooms & field sites 🌟 Extended warranties, spare parts, and our Reasonable Repair Promise 🌟 Still running strong after 5+ years 🔗 bento.bio/resources/bu...
- Looking for PCR primers to sex bird species? We've recently updated our online primer search tool: 🐦 361 birds included 🐦 Quick search by name, order, or family 🐦 References to 22 key papers Which species should we add next? 🔗 bento.bio/protocol/bir...
- Curious how PCR can reveal insect prey & parasites in the field? 🐜 Newcastle University shares an open protocol using Bento Lab: 🕷️ Adaptable workflow for ecology studies 🕷️ Field-ready, practical steps 🕷️ Tested in 2023/24 & 2024/25 courses 🔗 Find out more: dx.doi.org/10.17504/pro...
- On-site DNA testing to combat the illegal wildlife trade just got faster! VeRIF-ID + Bento Lab = portable species ID solution. 🌟 <3 h from sample to result 🌟 Works at customs & field sites 🌟 15 fish & bushmeat items ID’d in ~6 h 🔗 Read the preprint here: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
- Working with DNA barcoding of tiny organisms? Here’s an interesting HotSHOT DNA extraction tweak that might help reduce DNA fragmentation: 🧬 20 µL lysis buffer @ 65 °C (18m) + 98 °C (2m) 🧬 Neutralisation + dilution in one 100 µL step 🔗 Method from article: digitalcommons.odu.edu/vjs/vol76/is...
- PCR troubleshooting? Don’t overlook PCR product contamination! Find out: ✨ What it is ✨ How to spot it in your gels ✨ Ways to prevent & fix it 👉 Read more: bento.bio/resources/be...
- New to PCR and unsure how to interpret your agarose electrophoresis gel results? We’ve put together a guide to help you: ⭐ Check your gels step by step ⭐ Troubleshoot common gel issues ⭐ Spot PCR artefacts and contamination 🔗 Read the guide here: bento.bio/resources/be...
- What does a mobile malaria DNA sequencing lab look like? Researchers combined Bento Lab + MinION to sequence Plasmodium falciparum in Zanzibar: ⭐ Field-ready workflow ⭐ Fast results from routine samples ⭐ Supports malaria control strategies 🔗 Read here: doi.org/10.1371/jour...
- Thinking of running a hands-on PCR microbiology course? Here’s an inspiring example from the University of North Dakota: ⭐ Small groups learning using Bento Labs ⭐ Core skills in PCR, gels, and DNA analysis ⭐ Solving real-world scenarios 🔗 Read more: bento.bio/story/from-v...
- If you’re completely new to PCR, here’s a guide to making batch PCR mixes that could help save you time and pipette tips. It covers: ⭐ What goes into a PCR mix ⭐ What's needed for a single PCR ⭐ How to scale for 10–32 samples 🔗 Read here: bento.bio/resources/be...
