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Bento Lab 🧬
@bento.bio
700 followers 400 following 180 posts
We make Bento Lab = a portable PCR workstation.
Content about DNA methods, field work and more.
https://bento.bio
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bento.bio
Bento Lab 🧬 @bento.bio · Dec 17
Looking to use up your end-of-year budget? We’re obviously biased, but we think Bento Lab makes an awesome gift for your lab (and yourself!). 🎅

A PCR workstation for < $2000 that you can use for sequencing library prep, LAMP assays or just as your daily PCR.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tlq...
What is Bento Lab? - Explained in 60 seconds.
YouTube video by Bento Lab
www.youtube.com
bento.bio
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....
First genetic characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of Trichomonadida from Gallus gallus domesticus (Aves: Phasianidae) and its nematode parasite Heterakis gallinarum (Ascaridida: Heterakidae) in...
Sarra Farjallah, Paolo Merella, Abdulaziz Nasser Alagaili, Nabil Amor
doi.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:51 PM
bento.bio
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...
Introducing NOMAD: A Field-Deployable Workflow for Rapid, On-Site Microbiome Analysis of Raw Bovine Milk Using Full-Length 16S rRNA Sequencing
Raw bovine milk hosts a diverse microbiota that profoundly influences dairy product quality, safety, and shelf-life. However, current surveillance methods are time-intensive and often lack the taxonom...
doi.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:03 PM
bento.bio
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...
www.mdpi.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:20 PM
bento.bio
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...
Quantitative metagenomics using a portable protocol
A field-deployable DNA sequencing approach for quantitative microbial community profiling can enable rapid responses for a range of applications in the water sector – from process control to wastewate...
www.biorxiv.org
November 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM
bento.bio
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...
Rapid DNA Extraction from Dried Blood Spots
Here are four quick, easy, inexpensive, and accessible methods for extracting DNA from dried blood spots.
bento.bio
October 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM
bento.bio
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...
Rapid on-site universal vertebrate species identification via multi-barcode nanopore sequencing
The growing illegal wildlife trade (IWT) threatens biodiversity and is a conduit for zoonotic disease, yet its risk of detection is low. Once processed, trafficked species are difficult to identify mo...
doi.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:07 PM
bento.bio
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...
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.
bento.bio
October 28, 2025 at 5:47 PM
bento.bio
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...
First genetic characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of Trichomonadida from Gallus gallus domesticus (Aves: Phasianidae) and its nematode parasite Heterakis gallinarum (Ascaridida: Heterakidae) in...
Sarra Farjallah, Paolo Merella, Abdulaziz Nasser Alagaili, Nabil Amor
folia.paru.cas.cz
October 27, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Bento Lab 🧬
eljensen.bsky.social
This was developed by @jordancuff.bsky.social for use on our ecology field course. Turns out students like combining lab+field! Another step towards breaking down the false dichotomy of “field” and “lab” people! 🧪
bento.bio Bento Lab 🧬 @bento.bio · 27d
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...
slack.protocols.io
October 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
bento.bio
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...
slack.protocols.io
October 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
bento.bio
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...
Key considerations when setting up a temporary lab
If you’re working outside of a laboratory environment, what do you need to make it a success? Here are some key considerations.
bento.bio
October 23, 2025 at 5:04 PM
bento.bio
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...
Distribution and prevalence of Sarcina troglodytae in chimpanzees and the environment throughout Africa
Introduction. Since 2005, the leading cause of death for western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS) in Sierra Leone has been epizootic neurologic and gastroente...
www.microbiologyresearch.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:51 PM
bento.bio
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...
Honeybee DNA Barcoding for Subspecies Identification
Discover how BeeCode Berlin used Bento Lab to empower high school students in DNA barcoding honeybees, uncovering Berlin’s bee genetic diversity. Learn about honeybee subspecies and hands-on citizen s...
bento.bio
October 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
bento.bio
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...
Onsite microbiome analysis of stromatolite-like silica structures in a remote subterranean analog martian environments
Abstract. Amorphous silica deposits found in orthoquartzite caves offer valuable analogues for understanding early life on Earth and potential biosignatures on Mars. This study presents the fully on-s...
doi.org
October 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
bento.bio
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...
AMR gene detection across different lab settings
AMR gene detection across different lab settings
bento.bio
October 17, 2025 at 4:55 PM
bento.bio
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-...
Field DNA Barcoding: Triplex PCR with Bento Lab
See how Bento Lab enables rapid plant and animal species barcoding in the field with a portable triplex PCR assay.
bento.bio
October 16, 2025 at 4:39 PM
bento.bio
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...
HotSHOT DNA Extraction Kit
Rapidly extract DNA from a wide range of samples with this widely used method. The HotSHOT DNA Extraction Kit is a simple, two step protocol performed in a single PCR tube. Provided as two 30 mL…
bento.bio
October 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM
bento.bio
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...
Troubleshooting Non-Specific Amplification
Non-specific amplification is the amplification of non-target DNA during PCR. This article provides a background to non-specific amplification and troubleshooting tips.
bento.bio
October 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
bento.bio
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...
How to choose a DNA Primer Set for Bird Sexing
Choose the best DNA primers for bird sexing by PCR. Covers common sets, species compatibility, and tips to support reliable avian sex identification.
bento.bio
October 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
bento.bio
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...
Teaching DNA Barcoding: 4 Case Studies
Discover 4 case studies to bring DNA barcoding into your classroom through student research and PCR-based projects.
bento.bio
October 8, 2025 at 2:11 PM
bento.bio
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...
Tracking Bird Flu in Antarctica
A research team has successfully sequenced a near-complete bird flu genome aboard a ship in Antarctic waters, proving that portable lab equipment can generate critical information about viral threats…
bento.bio
October 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM
bento.bio
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...
Stone Monument Metabarcoding
Key Points Researchers have successfully completed the first on-site, direct whole-genome sequencing of subaerial biofilms (SABs) on a UNESCO World Heritage Site stone monument. In a pioneering study…
bento.bio
October 6, 2025 at 4:25 PM
bento.bio
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...
Introducing NOMAD: A Field-Deployable Workflow for Rapid, On-Site Microbiome Analysis of Raw Bovine Milk Using Full-Length 16S rRNA Sequencing
Raw bovine milk hosts a diverse microbiota that profoundly influences dairy product quality, safety, and shelf-life. However, current surveillance methods are time-intensive and often lack the taxonom...
doi.org
October 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM
bento.bio
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...
Examples of temporary labs for DNA Extraction and PCR
Explore five examples of researchers using Bento Lab for molecular biology workflows — including DNA extraction, PCR, and electrophoresis — in the field.
bento.bio
October 2, 2025 at 5:04 PM
bento.bio
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...
First time buyer’s guide: What do I need for my Bento Lab?
Many of you ask us: “When I buy a Bento Lab, what else will I need?” In this post, we cover the main points to answer this frequently asked question.
bento.bio
October 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM