Welcome to the eighth volume of our 2024 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 August 2024.
Watch our Feature Release Highlights to more deeply explore this month's updates.
Notebook
Benchling Notebook helps users log their experiments, create protocols, and capture results against their samples.
General Availability Launch of Notebook Sections [2024.8.N.1]
A better way to organize Entry Templates and Entries. Notebook Sections can be named, dated, color-highlighted, and collapsed.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Support for Table Formula =SEARCH() [2024.8.N.2]
Find the position of a string within text inside Notebook Tables using the =SEARCH() table formula.
Bulk Resize Table Column Widths [2024.8.N.3]
Resize multiple columns of a Notebook Table by selecting and dragging to resize them. Resizing will apply to all selected table columns.
New Review Filters [2024.8.N.4]
When using global search to find Entries, users can now filter by review start and completion dates.
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.
"Raw Text" Spreadsheet Import Option Update [2024.8.RI.1]
The "Raw Text" spreadsheet import option is now displayed in sentence case for improved readability.
Add to Worklist Button in Inventory Tables [2024.8.RI.2]
Users can now add inventory items to the worklist directly from an Update Inventory table.
Small Molecule
The molecule entity in Registry helps users model and interact with chemical compounds throughout the platform, enabling users to draw, visualize, store, and search chemical structures.
Custom Notations for Monomer Library [2024.8.SM.1]
Customers can now manage their custom notations that map to HELM monomers directly from their Monomer Library. Tenant admins can manage custom notation tokens, which are mapped to HELM monomer triplets. This enables registration of entities using custom syntax or generating the syntax via a computed field.
To enable this feature, reach out to Customer Support.
In Vivo
Manage in vivo studies with modern software designed for data capture, collaboration, and insights.
Auto-Save Study Creation Form [2024.8.IV.1]
When users click “Next” to proceed to the next section of study registration, all progress is automatically saved as a draft. Drafts are deleted when the study is successfully registered, and incomplete drafts can be manually deleted from the “Drafts” tab.
Data Analysis Export Direct Download [2024.8.IV.2]
Data analysis exports are now downloaded directly to your device instead of being attached as files under Study Attachments.
Increased Length of Link Attachments [2024.8.IV.3]
The maximum URL length that can be saved in study attachments has been increased.
Preset Builder [2024.8.IV.4]
Administrators can now create and manage presets in their tenant glossary.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Offline Messaging [2024.8.IV.5]
When internet connectivity is lost, an offline message is displayed until the connection is restored, returning you to the screen where the disconnection occurred.
Folder Selector in Study Settings [2024.8.IV.6]
Users with write access can now search for and select Benchling folders within study settings.
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.
Copy Tasks with Assignees [2024.8.W.1]
Users can now copy tasks with an assignee, even if the task schema doesn’t allow setting an assignee at task creation. The new task will be unassigned.
Insights
Insights enables users to query, visualize, and share high quality, structured data that resides in Benchling
Create Templates for Insights Analysis [2024.8.IN.1]
Create templates to automate frequently repeated Insights analyses, reducing manual repetition. These templates can accept fixed or variable data inputs from other Insights analyses.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Run Regressions and Interpolation in Insights Analysis [2024.8.IN.2]
Perform linear, quadratic, and 4PL regressions in Insights Analysis, and use generated regression models for interpolation in other analyses.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Duplicate Analysis & Replace Table [2024.8.IN.3]
Duplicate an existing Insights analysis to create a backup or to run the analysis on a different set of input data. You can also replace tables in an existing analysis, causing the entire analysis to rerun with the new input.
Benchling Connect
Benchling Connect, formerly Lab Automation, enables seamless integration of Benchling to liquid handlers, plate readers, imaging instruments, and more.
Show Out-of-Date Indicator on Result Tables [2024.8.BC.1]
An out-of-date indicator is now shown only if a result has been updated since creation.
Add Refetch Buttons in Connection Data Tab [2024.8.BC.2]
Users can now fetch individual files in the Connection Data tab by clicking the refetch button.
Associate Studies with Lab Automation Runs [2024.8.BC.3]
Add studies to the Run UI, which appends the study to the Studies list of any studyable objects (entities, results, storables, datasets) created or updated by the run.
Release Methodical Mind Connector [2024.8.BC.4]
Methodical Mind Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Release TapeStation Connector [2024.8.BC.5]
TapeStation Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Release MabTech Apex Connector [2024.8.BC.6]
MabTech Apex Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Release QIAcuity dPCR Connector [2024.8.BC.7]
QIAcuity dPCR Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Release Cedex HiRes Connector [2024.8.BC.8]
Cedex HiRes Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Release Qubit 4 Connector [2024.8.BC.9]
Qubit 4 Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Release Qubit Flex Connector [2024.8.BC.10]
Qubit Flex Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Associate Studies with Studyable Objects via Lab Automation Run [2024.8.BC.11]
Customers with the Studies application can now add studies directly in the Run UI. These studies will be carried over during output file processing and appended to the Studies list for any studyable objects (including entities, results, datasets, and storables) created or updated by the run.
Release PharmSpec Connector [2024.8.BC.12]
PharmSpec Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Release BMG LabTech Connector [2024.8.BC.13]
BMG LabTech Connector Release
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Agilent Gen5 Connector Enhancement [2024.8.BC.14]
The Agilent Gen5 Connector now supports multi-endpoint reads (single-read and multi-read with the same detection).
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Allotropy Update v0.1.49 [2024.8.BC.15]
Allotropy Update Changelog
Access Management
Access management is the way customers control who is able to access which resources, and includes things like project permissions, access policies, and admin roles.
Capability Management in User Export CSV [2024.8.AM.1]
Capability management information is now available in the exported CSV and as an optional column in the UI. We’ve also added the “password last changed” field in the UI.
Simplified User Export CSV [2024.8.AM.2]
Users will now appear only once in the export, with their orgs and teams listed in the appropriate columns. The API ID has been added to differentiate between teams with the same name.
Audit Log Enhancements for User Creation Events [2024.8.AM.3]
Audit logs now show whether a user was created manually or through just-in-time creation via SAML authentication.
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.
Removed Feedback Button in Config Migration [2024.8.AC.1]
The "Provide feedback" button has been removed from Config migration. For feedback, please contact Benchling Support.
Rotated Warehouse Certificates and Credentials [2024.8.AC.2]
In response to AWS RDS certificate upgrades, Warehouse credentials have been updated to a more secure hashing method. Customers need to update their logins and certificates to maintain access.
Filter by Relative Date Ranges [2024.8.AC.3]
In global search, users can now filter by relative date ranges, such as “in the next week” or “in the last month.”
Config Migration Validation Warning [2024.8.AC.4]
Users are now informed that validation may take a while during config migration.
Improved Product Limit Warnings in Config Migration [2024.8.AC.5]
More detailed warnings are provided when hitting product limits in config migration.
Performance Improvements for Config Migration Planning Step [2024.8.AC.6]
Performance during the planning step of config migration has been improved.
Compliance Controls
With Compliance Controls, gathering required information for compliance is simple, intuitive, and performant. The team’s primary focus is on our auditing platform but we also own exporting and archiving.
API IDs in Chain of Custody Reports [2024.8.CC.1]
Add API IDs to the Item(s) column of Chain of Custody reports by enabling the config flag: CHAIN_OF_CUSTODY_REPORT_DISPLAY_ITEM_API_IDS.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Unicode Support in Reason Codes and Comments [2024.8.CC.2]
Customers can now input Unicode characters (e.g., accents, symbols) in reason codes and comments, which will appear in downstream CSV and PDF exports.
Append Transfer Events in Chain of Custody Reports [2024.8.CC.3]
Chain of Custody reports now include both "transferred to" and "transferred from" events, showing relevant plate/container information.
Plate-Level Chain of Custody Reports [2024.8.CC.4]
Generate plate-level Chain of Custody reports to monitor events such as plate transfers and updates to plate-level fields.
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.
Shareable Apps General Availability [2024.8.DP.1]
All new apps created on non-GxP tenants are now "global," meaning they have versions, can be shared between tenants, and are stored in the global App Catalog.
Interactive Webhook Playground [2024.8.DP.2]
Developers can test available events using a custom webhook URL, without triggering the original action in Benchling.
Benchling Apps Installation Update [2024.8.DP.3]
Benchling apps are no longer automatically installed on the home tenant. Developers must now manually install specific versions of their apps.
New Webhook: v2.workflowTaskGroup.mappingCompleted [2024.8.DP.4]
A new webhook event for workflow task group completion is now available.
Promoted Organization and Team Membership APIs to /v2 [2024.8.DP.5]
Automate adding or removing users from organizations and teams using the /v2 API endpoint.
Bioprocess
Our Bioprocess offering helps with process development studies, including non-In Vivo workflows. It includes tools for tracking, managing, and analyzing experiments like process development studies, recipes, and studies.
Material Input Confirmation in Recipes [2024.8.BP.1]
Operators executing a Recipe can now specify which Benchling containers were used to fulfill a given Material Input.
Bug Fixes
Application Core
- Fixed a bug where output schemas were incorrectly allowing updates via config migration.
- Fixed a bug where config migration did not migrate tooltips for snapshot fields.
- Fixed a bug where copying a folder failed.
- Fixed a bug where Config Migration validation and import caused a generic error message instead of a descriptive error message.
Compliance Controls
- Fixed an issue where the submit button appeared in text boxes when creating an entry in a template.
Molecular Biology
- Fixed a bug where keyboard events (copy/paste, typing, etc.) stopped working in Chrome on the sequence map due to a new Chrome feature that auto-focuses scrollable elements for accessibility. The fix is compatible with the new Chrome update.
Workflows
- Fixed a bug where users couldn't drag to add rows in an Output table if they had clicked into a schema field table cell.
- Improved UX for collapsing nodes without tasks for routers with loops.
- Fixed a bug where updating an Output schema field from the dashboard erroneously showed a "success" message before the update was submitted.
- Fixed an issue where Task table submission failed if there were errors in rows corresponding to archived Tasks.
Studies Platform Application
- Addressed study type validation inconsistencies when modifying study schemas.
- Fixed an issue where unsuccessful changes to study schema fields were retained in the UI as if they had been successful.
- Fixed an issue where an unneeded error toast was erroneously shown when navigating away from the study metadata tab after editing study metadata.
Connect
- Fixed an issue with the 'create and send to output' functionality in a run with connection enabled.
- Fixed an issue where connectors returned NaN when commas were used as decimal separators.
- Added PlateID field to Bio-Rad BioPlex Manager Connector.
- Fixed an error from Qiacuity dPCR (ASM-to-CSV) - expected 1 measurement per detector dye setting per PCR document.
- Fixed an error from QuantStudio D&A file format error when using a Relative Quantification or No Analysis module.
- Fixed an error from Agilent Gen5 connector – 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable.
- Fixed an error from Agilent Biotek Cytation 5 files using the Agilent Gen5 Image Connector.
- Fixed an error from QuantStudio Design & Analysis connector file format error to include handling for primary analysis experiment types.
- Fixed an issue where the SpectraMax connector was not handling some files by adding checks for special cases where numeric values were reported as Range? or Masked.
- Fixed a case sensitivity issue with the Machine ID value in the MabTech Apex connector.
Access Management
- Fixed an issue where a principal was incorrectly assumed to be a User, causing failures when a Benchling app or Service Account was used.
- Fixed an issue with audit logs on some archived projects.
- Fixed an issue where "Granted to Author" in access policies did not work for edit actions on Studies.
- Fixed a bug where adding more access via Capability Management triggered a warning that access was being removed.
In Vivo
- Fixed an issue where treatment group names did not fully display in data tables.
- Fixed an issue where doses from the previous animal were temporarily displayed for the next animal in the workflow.
- Fixed an issue where sorting users by role was not working.
- Fixed an issue when mapping the same device to multiple fields in the measurement form.
- Fixed an issue where the search bar in workflow was protected against browser control and no longer showed previous searches.
- Fixed an issue where the calculation field in data tables was not displaying correctly due to browser scroll bars.
- Fixed an issue where users could click the save button to "Add other reviewers" multiple times, leading to duplicate reviewers.
- Fixed a bug where data from connected devices was not written to fields not visible in the window.
- Fixed a bug where analysis summary tables could not be exported.
- Fixed a bug where administrators could not save cage cards.
- Fixed an issue with applying all required config to average bodyweight calculations.
- Fixed a bug where data table exports were not reporting measurement calculation variables correctly.
- Fixed an issue where only active presets could be used for instrument mapping.
- Fixed a bug where data tables’ PK Bleed columns were not updating for all animals upon edit.
- Fixed an issue where the name of a treatment linked to a custom entity was updated but not displayed correctly in the In Vivo study.
- Fixed a bug where raw study data exports were not being generated when using the email method instead of direct export.
- Fixed an issue where users were unable to sort the animals table by study group.
- Fixed an issue where users could not save draft studies with alerts set to large exponential thresholds.
- Fixed an issue where the deceased comment or reason could not be edited.
Registry and Inventory
- Fixed a bug causing freeze/thaw and expiration lookup steps to be shown regardless of tenant configuration.
- Fixed a bug where 'Edit barcodes' policy statement was not granting permissions even when granted.
Schemas
- Fixed a bug where schemas could link to other schemas outside the organization.
Notebook Canvas
- Fixed an issue where the close preview button was nonfunctional for attachments in structured tables.
- Fixed an issue where users were presented with an unintentional pop-up message when logging in or starting export jobs.
Data Input
- Fixed a bug where attempting to add a table mapping to a misconfigured lookup column caused Benchling to crash.
- Fixed inconsistent behavior with inventory tables so that they:
- Don't clear the add/deduct by column on table re-sync.
- Warn before re-sync with unsubmitted rows.