Bento Lab

We recently caught up with Tunisian researcher & educator Nabil Amor, and were delighted to hear how his work has progressed since we first shared his work on the Arabian leopard.

That research has now been published, and he’s already exploring what comes next: faster DNA extraction for field barcoding, airborne sampling, and even a low-cost 3D-printed fluorometer.

Read the updated story: https://bento.bio/story/decoding-the-leopard-genome/

👀 What if a species is there, but you just can't see it?

At Bosley Reservoir, traditional surveys found no signal crayfish. But when graduate researcher Molly Doyle tested water from the site for environmental DNA, her LAMP assay detected traces of crayfish DNA.

That's one of the things that makes eDNA monitoring so interesting. Instead of needing to catch or observe an animal, researchers can look for the genetic traces it leaves behind.

Molly developed her assays to work in the field using Bento Lab, with results visible through a simple colour change in around 40 minutes.

t makes our day to see molecular biology helping researchers uncover what might otherwise remain hidden.

Read the full story: https://bento.bio/story/finding-hidden-species-with-lamp-edna-monitoring-in-merseyside

We know that a successful practical requires more than choosing a protocol, so we’ve mined the knowledge of our own experts and experienced educators to present an overview of some of the things you should consider when planning your first (or fifth!) hands-on learning session, whether it takes place in a classroom, a community center, or a remote field station.

https://bento.bio/resources/educator-advice/how-to-plan-a-hands-on-molecular-biology-lesson/

For Dr Wilda Laux, hands-on genomics is about more than teaching a laboratory technique. She wants students to see how molecular biology connects to health, their communities and possible futures in science.

With support from Pūtahi Manawa - Healthy Hearts for Aotearoa NZ, Wilda has been taking practical genomics workshops into schools, with a particular focus on reaching students who may have fewer opportunities to encounter laboratory equipment or scientific role models.

Using Bento Lab, students get directly involved, from practicing pipetting to interpreting DNA results and discussing what genetic information can tell us.

We really enjoyed hearing how Wilda designs practical activities thoughtfully around the students in front of her.

💡 Get inspired (and pick up a few pointers!) by reading her full story: https://bento.bio/story/making-genomics-visible-a-teacher-led-approach-to-hands-on-molecular-biology/

When we started Bento Bio, we believed molecular biology should be easier to access and easier to do, wherever the work needed to happen.

Our co-founder Bethan Wolfenden recently reflected on how far that idea has traveled: researchers, educators, and conservationists around the world are bringing PCR and DNA analysis directly to the point of need, from classrooms to conservation projects to farms.

She penned a piece about the impact of portable molecular biology technology and workflows for Labcompare.

Read it here: https://www.labcompare.com/10-Featured-Articles/627104-How-Portable-Molecular-Biology-is-Changing-Research/

An interesting application of the Bento Lab: Forensic entomology!

We were excited to see this fabulous feature in National Geographic about the work of Charity Owings and Makhali Voss, who are using Bento Lab in the field to analyze the contents of blowfly guts to track parasites, chemical weapons materials, and other wildlife.

Pick up the July magazine, or take a sneak peek now: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/blowfly-wildlife-pandemic

Photo by

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 🇧🇹

Researcher Pema Khandu used Bento Lab to bring science closer to the species he is aiming to protect: the White-bellied heron.

🪺 Learn more about his field-based genetic sexing and eDNA analysis efforts: https://bento.bio/story/bringing-conservation-genomics-into-the-field-in-bhutan/



Photo by Pema Khandu

This month, we've followed Bento Lab into coral reefs, rice paddies, Scottish islands, and wildlife conservation projects around the world.

It's always inspiring to see researchers bringing DNA analysis closer to the ecosystems and species they're working to understand and protect.

Here are a few highlights from the field.

Reefs, Rice Paddies, and Rare Birds May highlights: Conservation science in action in remote jungles, coral reefs, paddy fields, and island field sites

✈️ Planning your next field trip or scientific adventure? Good news! We regularly travel with Bento Lab in our hand luggage and have never had any issues bringing it onboard.

If you’re wondering what to expect at airport security and beyond, we’ve put together our 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀, covering everything from our favourite travel-friendly reagents to handy letters for customs or security agents.

https://bento.bio/resources/bento-lab-advice/come-fly-with-me-bento-lab/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=Facebook

March Round-up: Snake Genomics in a Van, Biotech Education, and Building a Bird Sexing Business

Snake Genomics in a Van, Biotech Education, Bird Sexing Business March highlights: mobile snake genomics, a bird breeder’s journey to a commercial lab, Ulster University’s Biotech MSc, and new portable metagenomics research.