Welcome to the 11th volume of our 2023 product release notes! We’ve been working hard to bring you performance improvements that add value to your work. Read on to learn about the product enhancements and bug fixes released in November 2023.
Notebook
Benchling Notebook helps users log their experiments, create protocols, and capture results against their samples.
Replication factors in table mapping [2023.11.N.1]
Users can now replicate table rows by adding a replication factor to table mapping. For example, a replication factor of 2 creates 2 rows of data in the destination table for each row in the source.
Propagate data across tables on submit [2023.11.N.2]
When a table is the source for a table mapping and the table is submitted, data propagates downstream. However, updates to the source table don’t propagate after it’s submitted.
Molecular Biology
Benchling’s Molecular Biology is a cutting-edge in silico design tool that supports the latest scientific workflows.
Create and assemble AA sequence constructs in bulk [2023.11.MB.1]
Users can now combinatorially join AA, RNA, or DNA sequences end-to-end. Group input sequences, logically combine those inputs in a specified order, and produce only the desired output sequences. Users can visualize the sequences they’re working with, while Benchling keeps records of assemblies.
Registry and Inventory
The Registry and Inventory combine to form an extremely powerful solution for life sciences R&D samples. The Registry can be used to model and log any biological entities while the Inventory provides an interactive digital window into the physical storage system of your lab.
Users can see 'Available Spaces' in the location picker [2023.2.RI.1]
Users can now see how many spaces are available before making their selection in the location picker.
In Vivo
Manage in vivo studies with modern software designed for data capture, collaboration, and insights.
Calculate doses using different body weights to support multiple doses per day [2023.11.IV.1]
Users can use a new body weight at the time of dosing that is different from the last recorded weight. This enables more accurate dose volume calculations without amending any study readouts.
Workflows
Workflows are a sequence of processes that are performed to answer a research question or synthesize new material. For example, synthesizing a new set of proteins from supernatants, or improving the transduction process.
Routing, looping, and end nodes [2023.11.W.1]
Users can use routers, loops, and end nodes to create smarter, more efficient workflows with automated decisions based on business logic or scientific criteria.
- End nodes - stop a path in a workflow when conditional logic criteria is met and a process should be ended
- Loops - redo tasks in a flowchart without having to manually recreate them
- Routers - define custom logic and control mappings for inputs and outputs of your workflow tasks
Propagate watchers [2023.11.W.2]
When this configuration option is selected, the watchers initially set on the first task group are propagated to all downstream task groups automatically.
Benchling Connect
Benchling Connect, formerly Lab Automation, enables seamless integration of Benchling to liquid handlers, plate readers, imaging instruments, and more.
A New Windows Installer for Benchling Connect Gateway Installation [2023.11.BC.1]
As a part of the Benchling Connect platforms, users can now install an instrument gateway using a Windows Installer, replacing the previous Powershell-based installation steps.
Schemas
Schemas are the structural foundation for how your information is categorized in Benchling. They are categories created specifically for your tenant that can represent materials, data, storage methods, and tasks.
Schema field limit [2023.11.SCH.1]
To ensure quality performance, schemas now have a limit to the number of fields they can have. More fields can’t be added beyond the limit.
Consistently treat empty text fields with "" or null [2023.11.SCH.2]
All empty text fields now display as null in the API, and "" in the warehouse. Previously, how they displayed was inconsistent and depended on the history.
Application Core
To create a seamless Benchling experience, our platform must be consistent, compliant and predictable. The Application Core provides the central capabilities platform to create a smoother user experience.
Insert searches into templates [2023.11.AC.1]
Users can now insert searches into notebook templates. Previously they were not supported for this item type.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Updated BLAST query validation message [2023.11.AC.2]
The BLAST query validation message now suggests potential problems when the NCBI tool rejects a search request.
Developer Platform
Our developer platform is fundamental to centralizing and standardizing all your R&D data. Benchling’s APIs and Events are built to match the flexibility and speed of modern life science R&D.
Clustermarket app [2023.11.DP.1]
Users can use the Clustermarket integration to sync equipment data to Benchling and schedule equipment from inside Benchling. The integration was built by Custermarket, but to use it, it must be enabled by a Benchling representative. For support, contact support@clustermarket.com.
Bug Fixes
The following bugs were fixed this month:
In Vivo
- Reintroduction of the insert row option in create groups table and application of this order across the UI
- Reintroduced missing 0% relative measurement display in the animals table
- Users could not create studies from drafts when saved prior to setting the linked Benchling folder
- Import template updated to display animals in cage ordered by animal number
Workflows
- Config migration for Workflows with routers that made comparisons between schema types wouldn't work
- When a user tried to create or update a task but was missing a required field, a generic read toast displayed. A descriptive, user-readable error now displays
- An update resulted in older Workflows tasks not displaying in the Workflows dashboard until we ran a script to re-index our database
Benchling Connect
- Fixed an issue to send a final input file to a local server via connection from a run that includes a CUSTOM Transform function
Application Core
- Results created via Lab Auto would always return isReviewed as "false" via the API, even if the entry was reviewed. This is resolved, but not automatically enabled because it’s a breaking API change. To enable this capability, contact your Benchling representative. It will auto-on after the notification period via the changelog is over (on 1/3/2024)
Access Management
- Teams in an org were not getting deleted when the containing org was deleted
- Cookie consent model displayed for users when there were no cookies that needed consenting
- SAML Responses without a subject would return a 500 error. It now returns an informative error message
- Benchling was incorrectly enforcing that team collaborators belonged to the owning organization for projects and registries
- /users API now returns name and handle when the caller is not in the same organization as the queried user
Compliance Controls
- The organization activity log was recording a 'none' string for particular user activity events. We now record specific events taking place, like workflow tasks, analysis, etc.