- Democratizing Biodiversity Research: Bento Lab enables citizen scientists to participate in DNA barcoding and biodiversity studies
- Field-Ready and Inclusive: Designed for portability, Bento Lab helps foster hands-on engagement with science.
- Building Knowledge Networks: By enabling easy access, Bento Lab helps citizen scientists contribute to global research efforts, from species discovery to conservation projects.
Citizen science and community workshops
Bento Lab is being used by communities who would not normally consider themselves as scientists.
– James Brown, Education and Public Engagement Manager, Biochemical Society
Bringing DNA Analysis to Citizen Science
Bento Lab empowers outreach and citizen science by making DNA analysis accessible to everyone.
This portable all-in-one workstation enables users to extract DNA, run PCR, and analyze results with gel electrophoresis, bringing advanced molecular biology into schools, community projects, and the field.
Perfect for biodiversity studies and conservation efforts, Bento Lab bridges the gap between professional labs and passionate citizen scientists.
Learn more about using Bento Lab for outreach and citizen science.
Explore Bento LabFeatured case studies
Lost and Found Fungi
Unlock fungal biodiversity with Bento Lab, as UK field mycologists use it to DNA barcode specimens. From grassroots workshops to mapping cryptic species, groups like the Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network are advancing conservation and discovery with this portable molecular biology tool.
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Barcoding the underground world
Dr Josef Vuch studies amphibians living in underground caves around Trieste, Italy. He uses Bento Lab to extract DNA and to prepare DNA barcodes for sequencing.
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YCAM’s Interlab Camp
At YCAM’s Interlab Camp, participants explored personal biotechnology through hands-on DNA extraction, PCR, and MinION sequencing using Bento Lab. Artists, students, and scientists collaborated to create conceptual proposals while enjoying Genome Bento lunches featuring sequenced ingredients. A creative and inspiring event in Yamaguchi, Japan.
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Recommended for citizen science and outreach applications
Bento Lab Pro
From DNA extraction, to PCR, to analysis and sequencing prep, using one portable workstation.
32 well thermocycler
Heat or incubate, lyse cells, amplify DNA via PCR or isothermal methods, ligate sequencing adaptors.
8k G centrifuge, 6 tube capacity
Sediment samples, spin down tubes, extract DNA using spin columns
Electrophoresis and transilluminator
Cast, load, and run agarose electrophoresis gels to visualise genomic DNA or amplicon DNA
