Bento Lab 🧬
@theBentoLab
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We make Bento Lab = a portable PCR workstation for scientists and educators. Tweets about methods, field sequencing and DNA barcoding
London
Joined October 2013
PCR workstation with laptop-sized footprint? ✅ 32-well thermocycler? ✅ 8,000 × G centrifuge? ✅ Electrophoresis unit? ✅ Blue light transilluminator? ✅ Spare capacity/fieldwork/teaching/at home? ✅ Affordable and portable✅ Check out Bento Lab here: https://t.co/93XHYI9AHx
bento.bio
A mobile genomics setup, Bento Lab combines a portable PCR machine, a microcentrifuge, gel electrophoresis and a blue LED transilluminator.
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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:
link.springer.com
Human Genomics - Personalized Medicine has the potential to transform modern healthcare by tailoring medical decisions to an individual’s unique genomic profile. However, its integration into...
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Interested in portable metagenomics for water samples? Here’s a 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 🔗👇
biorxiv.org
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 wastew...
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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! https://t.co/km6dp2oMyn
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Tunisian researchers map protozoan parasites & probable nematode vector in chickens using Bento Lab! ⭐First investigation of Trichomonadida diversity across Tunisia ⭐H. meleagridis (blackhead disease) in many samples ⭐Insights for disease control 👇
folia.paru.cas.cz
Sarra Farjallah, Paolo Merella, Abdulaziz Nasser Alagaili, Nabil Amor
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Portable genomics for food safety! A recent 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 🔗
biorxiv.org
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...
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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 🔗
biorxiv.org
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 wastew...
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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
Here are four quick, easy, inexpensive, and accessible methods for extracting DNA from dried blood spots.
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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:
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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
Keep running experiments when power is not guaranteed, and take Bento Lab in unique environments. We have been exploring different portable power solutions.
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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
Sarra Farjallah, Paolo Merella, Abdulaziz Nasser Alagaili, Nabil Amor
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Now speaking at #Tbio2025 Nabil Amor @nabilamor rediscovered the Arabian Leopard using field genomics @theBentoLab Read the article! https://t.co/YBzbheOZJE
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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 🔗
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Always exciting to see Bento Lab in action. Good luck with your gels and PCRs @AranzaJar! For plant reproductive biology → see @SandraRiosKarr! Her recent work explores how S-RNases control pollen rejection and interspecific compatibility in Nicotiana
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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
If you’re working outside of a laboratory environment, what do you need to make it a success? Here are some key considerations.
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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:
microbiologyresearch.org
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