Bento Lab

Bento Lab is developed by ​Bento Bio, a London start-up. Bento Bio focuses on the development of DIY molecular testing. The Bento Lab has four pieces of equipment: a centrifuge for DNA extraction, a PCR machine, a LED blue light transilluminator combined with a Gel Electrophoresis Unit.

Bento Lab is a do-it-yourself DNA analysis kit about the size of a computer laptop and can be used to conduct simple DNA tests from saliva, hair follicles, animal tissue, food and drink. Users can test for gene variations associated with traits such as lactose intolerance and the capacity to detect bitter flavors. The contents of meat and bacteria that cause spoilage in beer and wine can be examined. Other uses include examination of DNA from fossils or determining the gender of a bird from a feather and DNA barcoding. The price of the unit is $793 and is available in the U.K. Bento Lab is marketed for professionals, students, researchers and also anyone with an interest in DNA testing.