1. Start here – Welcome and Essential Preparation

Read all the essential information about how to get started with using this kit, and important safety advice.

2. Introduction to Pipetting

The pipette is an indispensable tool when working with DNA and analysing genes, so you will need to be able to pipette with skill and confidence, before starting the research projects in this kit.

3. Introduction to the Centrifuge

The centrifuge is a key component of Bento Lab. It allows you to use centrifugal force to separate samples based on density, by spinning them at extremely high speed. The Bento Lab centrifuge can spin up to 14,500 rotations per minute – 240 per second! A centrifuge is no toy, and if handled incorrectly, it can be dangerous. In this introduction tutorial, you will learn how to operate the centrifuge safely so you can use the centrifuge in your experiments with confidence.

4. Introduction to PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is one of the most important laboratory methods in molecular biology, and it is used as the basis for the analysis workflow of the Biotechnology 101 Kit’s projects.

5. Introduction to Gel Electrophoresis

Gel Electrophoresis is the method used in this kit to analyse DNA samples. It is also the method that requires the most of your pipetting and practical lab skills.

Lactose Intolerance

The ability to digest lactose after infancy is a relatively recent adaptation in humans, and it is not universal. For some people, lactose intolerance is related to genetics, and it occurs as the production of the lactase enzyme stops when they become an adult.

This project explores the genetic variation of the gene MCM6, which controls the expression of LCT, the gene that encodes the lactase enzyme.

Bitterness Tasting

Scientists believe the bitter taste sense developed to help animals detect toxins or poisons in food. But not everyone can taste the same things.

This project looks at a genetic marker in the TAS2R38 gene that affects your chances of being able to detect a certain bitter chemical called PTC. Some vegetables like raw broccoli and brussels sprouts, contain bitter chemicals similar to PTC. Whether or not you can taste bitter chemicals like PTC depends on your genetics.

Athlete Gene

The ability to predict athletic performance is one of many aspects that many find exciting about personal genetic analysis. Of course, athletic ability is affected by many different genes, and training and nutrition are even more important factors.

This project looks at the ACTN3 gene, sometimes referred to as the “athlete gene”. It generates the protein α-actinin-3, which is present in skeletal muscle and is essential for its contraction. Variations of this gene are associated with a preference for endurance versus sprinting. The gene can explain around 2-3% of the difference in muscle performance between different people.

Rhesus Blood Group

There are many different ways to categorise blood. The most common way is the ABO grouping, followed by the Rhesus blood factor. Blood is either Rh positive or Rh negative, each of which is associated with particular antigens. The name comes from rhesus monkeys, which were thought initially to have the same antigen. This later turned out to be wrong, but the name stuck anyway.

Note: If you need to determine your Rhesus group for medical reasons, you should definitely not rely on any results you are testing yourself.

GM Plant Detection

Since the ancient times, humans have influenced plant genetics by farming and selectively breeding. Nowadays, genetic modification is a key part of the plant breeding toolbox. It is a scientific technique used to alter the genome of an organism, such as a plant, by introducing genes from other species. Although genetically modified (GM) foods are not without controversy, their use is widespread and generally considered safe.

Meat Detection
Beef vs Horse

Meat quality is a serious issue in the food industry. How sure are you that your burger or supermarket lasagne is really made of beef and not other types of meat? In 2013, the Food Standards Agency found that some “beef” lasagnes sold in British supermarkets contained 100% horse meat.

To identify different species in meat samples, the mitochondrial DNA can be studied, as it remains more intact compared to genomic DNA during food processing.

DNA Extraction (from Saliva)

This protocol describes how to extract a DNA sample from human saliva using Bento Lab.

DNA Extraction (from Tissue)

This protocol describes how to extract a DNA sample from meat tissue or plants using Bento Lab.

Gel Electrophoresis

Gel Electrophoresis is the method used in this kit to analyse DNA samples. It is also the method that requires the most of your pipetting and practical lab skills.