Do DNA tests yourself at home with Bento Labs

DNA testing is quite a popular element in Philippine soap operas. Accidentally switching name cards in the hospital at birth, the mother keeping the baby a secret, two lovers who are actually related—these are but some of conflicts in dramas that would be solved eventually with a DNA test.

The moment when the drama stretches with the waiting of the results keep the audience hanging and makes really good entertainment. But with recent technology, the same situation presented by these dramas might not apply today.

A London-based lab introduced a portable DIY kits for citizen scientists called Bento Lab. It provides a fast and convenient way of studying and analyzing DNA samples from saliva, hair, and animal tissues.

A regular DNA test, in which you would need to send your samples to a facility, would have you wait for weeks before you get your results. But with Bento Labs you can get your genetic code in just a snap of a finger.

The process works in three easy steps: You provide a sample and place it into the centrifuge in the middle of the product for DNA extraction. A thermal cycler copies the genes and a gel unit allows you to visualize the DNA.

Typically, equipment that offers this kind of process is extremely expensive and requires supervision by legitimate geneticists. But with Bento Lab, you can get -yourself a DNA tester for just $793 USD, which is roughly over P 36,000.

The six proponents of this venture started laying out their plans for Bento Lab in June 2013. And by November that year, they have already assembled their first prototype. As of now, the product is on Kickstarter. Over 370 supporters are pledging to bring the project in the mainstream. 

The Bento Lab can analyze food at a molecular level. One can know what their hamburger meat contains, or even their beers or wine. It can also check if you are built for endurance by testing your “athlete” gene. Moreover, it can identify genetically modified organisms.

There are two editions of Bento Lab available: The Lab Only version includes only the essentials: the Bento Lab, a power cable, Gel Electrophoresis Unit / Blue Light Transilluminator and Bento Lab Handbook. Beginners and those who would want to go from zero to researcher could try the Starter Kit which contains 10 successive mini-projects and experiments. — Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena/TJD, GMA News