- Portable and compact: Perfect for fieldwork, pairing seamlessly with the MinION for on-site sequencing.
- All-in-one system: Streamlines DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis for efficient nanopore sequencing preparation.
- Accessible and affordable: Simplifies workflows, reducing equipment needs while maintaining high-quality results.
Nanopore sequencing workflow and library prep
Here, we present a protocol to genetically identify nematodes using 18S SSU rRNA sequencing using the MinION, a portable third generation sequencer, and proof that it is possible to perform all the molecular preparations on a fully portable molecular biology lab – the Bento Lab.
Setting up Nanopore Sequencing with Bento Lab
Researchers around the world are using Bento Lab as a portable workstation for PCR and library preparation in MinION sequencing workflows.
Bento Lab is a portable all-in-one workstation for DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and gel electrophoresis, ensuring high-quality results for sequencing.
Whether you’re optimizing workflows, working in the field, or running a small lab, Bento Lab streamlines sample preparation, saving time and space. It’s the perfect tool to make nanopore sequencing more accessible and efficient.

Learn more about using Bento Lab with nanopore sequencing.
Download whitepaperFeatured case studies

Water Quality Testing
Noah Bryan, a high school student in Ontario, has developed a groundbreaking portable water testing kit under the supervision of Dr Lawrence Goodridge at the University of Guelph.
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Monitoring with MinION
Make waves in biodiversity with on-site sequencing, like this team using MinION and our portable PCR workstation aboard a dive boat in Singapore sampling seawater.
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Field Sequencing
Navigate genomics in jungles. Find out how this researcher is transforming ape health monitoring with onsite DNA barcoding of nematodes, using Bento Lab and MinION.
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Recommended for nanopore sequencing applications
Bento Lab Pro
From DNA extraction, to PCR, to MinION library 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