From routine lab work, to sample preparation for sequencing in the field, Bento Lab is a professional grade solution for research.
Take your lab wherever you go
The mobile genomics setup. Combines centrifuge, PCR, and gel visualisation. Portable and ready-to-go.
Take your lab wherever you go
The mobile genomics setup. Combines centrifuge, PCR and gel visualisation. Portable and ready-to-go.
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Research
Education
Engage your students with cutting-edge biotechnology. Get hands-on with Bento Lab, a classroom-ready format.
Contact
Talk to our team via email, or schedule a video demo to find out how Bento Lab fits into your research.
Portable, Compact, Precise
Designed so you can collect and check samples on the spot
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Meet the community using Bento Lab
Library preparation
Our @theBentoLab is going strong and @nanopore seq starts soon for #coral #microbiome 🤙🏼🤙🏼 pic.twitter.com/cELhlVkwKu
— Hollie Putnam (@HolliePutnam) June 5, 2019
DNA Barcoding
PCR complete & it’s time to see if we have anplified any 🍄🧬!@theBentoLab @BritMycolSoc pic.twitter.com/LVxgMSbSj7
— Lost & Found Fungi (@LostFoundFungi) April 19, 2019
Hands-on education
One of the most impressive pieces of equipment we have are @theBentoLab boxes. These devices function as a portable molecular biology lab, and combine five pieces of equipment into one! 🧪 pic.twitter.com/POOkn5DCpQ
— Monash Tech School (@MonashTS) June 12, 2019
Photo: Kate Smith (West
Wales Biodiversity Information Centre)
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Fungal DNA barcoding
As part of the Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network, David Harries documents and collects fungus fruit bodies. Using Bento Lab, the team extracts fungal DNA from tiny specimen fragments, to isolate and verify a “barcode” section of the DNA from each sample. Working with Aberystwyth University, the team send off these samples for sequencing. The information gained from the DNA sequences, combined with field observations and microscopical characters, contributes to a better understanding of the relationships between fungus collections in Pembrokeshire, UK.
Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network DNA Barcoding Exercise May 2019
“Bento Lab enables citizen scientists to explore fungal diversity and gain a better understanding of the science that underpins molecular studies.”
– David Harries, Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network
New York, United States
Rapid, on-site library preparation
In 55 minutes, Dr Sophie Zaaijer prepared a ready-to-sequence library for MinION, using Bento Lab for DNA extraction. Dr Zaaijer and the rest of the team at the New York Genome Center have developed a rapid, inexpensive, and portable strategy to re-identify human DNA called ’MinION sketching’.
Rapid re-identification of human samples using portable DNA sequencing
Geneva, Switzerland
BiOutils: biology in every classroom
BiOutils is a science communication platform from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Its mission is to support the teaching of modern experimental biology, providing material and know-how to teachers and classrooms. Active since 2007, its services are requested by 100% of the Geneva secondary schools and teachers enjoy with increasing demand its fundamental support. With Bento Lab, BiOutils brings classrooms an innovative approach to perform experimental biology, allowing every student to manage their own mini-laboratory!
“Bento Lab helps me fulfil my dream… bringing a piece of a real research lab into a classroom environment!”
– Dr. Karl Perron, BiOutils group leader and Microbiologist
Read the latest news on our blog
And connect on
Powering Bento Lab in the Field with a Battery
Keep running experiments when power is not guaranteed, and take Bento Lab in unique environments. We have been exploring different portable power solutions.
Identifying small invaders: DNA Barcoding Gill Flukes
Aquatic consultant Dr Bernice Brewster is developing new methods for identifying gill flukes. These parasites can invade the ecosystem through ornamental fish.
Bye bye buffer: Powering an E-Gel System with Bento Lab.
The E-Gel Electrophoresis System uses precast agarose gel cassettes for gel electrophoresis. One of our users, Wim Ensink demonstrates powering the E-Gel system from his Bento Lab.
Join us on our mission
Towards Accessible Science in Biotechnology
Genetics and molecular biology are the fundamental technologies of life. They concern all of us. And yet, only a small number of experts have access to laboratories and specialist knowledge. This is a problem caused by equipment that is closed and expensive and hardware and software that is difficult to use.
Instead, let us look at how movements like Arduino or Raspberry Pi are empowering citizens to co-create and be technology-literate. By building a diverse community around inclusive and accessible molecular biology, we want to enable professionals and non-professionals to engage with genetics in an open and responsible way. This is for everybody: curious makers, ambitious students, innovative artists and cutting-edge scientists. Find out more about how you can get hands-on with genetics and help us build a better future for biology.