Welcome to the 10th 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 October 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.
Reorder Columns and Rows [2024.10.N.1]
Users can now drag to reorder columns and rows within your notebook for a more organized view.
Team-Based Review Reassignment [2024.10.N.2]
Team review stages can now be marked as reassignable, allowing any team member to reassign that stage during a review.
Batch Column Resizing [2024.10.N.3]
Users can now select multiple columns and resize them all at once by dragging the width of one selected column.
Molecular Biology
Benchling’s Molecular Biology is a cutting edge in silico design tool that supports the latest scientific workflows.
Updated Primer Search Limit [2024.10.MB.1]
The "find primers" tool now supports searches across sequences up to 2 million bases, with a combined limit of 800 million bases x primers searched.
Unit Dictionary and Unit-Aware Fields [2024.10.MB.2]
Users can now store data with numerical values and associated units for consistency in experimental data. Units can be configured on schema fields, and Tenant Admins can add new units to a tenant.
DNA Sequence Endpoint Rate Limit Changes [2024.10.MB.3]
Adjustments have been made to rate limits for specific DNA sequence endpoints. For details, see documentation.
Schema-Based Primer Search [2024.10.MB.4]
The "find primers" tool now allows oligo searches by tag schema, accessible from a sequence's primer tab or through the search function across sequences.
In Vivo
Manage in vivo studies with modern software designed for data capture, collaboration, and insights.
Bulk dosing [2024.10.IV.1]
Users can now select treatments and animals, calculate dose volumes based on the latest body weights, specify dose times, and add comments to create multiple dosing events with just a few clicks.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Task Status Filter in Team Calendar [2024.10.IV.2]
Users can now filter study tasks by status in the calendar view, making it easier to manage task workflows.
Drag-and-Drop Dosing Setup [2024.10.IV.3]
Users can set up dosing workflows by dragging treatments into the desired order, similar to arranging measurements, samples, and observations.
Plot Days Post Disease Induction [2024.10.IV.4]
Users can now plot days post-disease induction on graphs and exports, with the option to exclude data points before the tracking date while maintaining the x-axis as days post-induction.
Species and Strains API [2024.10.IV.5]
Users now have API and webhook coverage for managing species and strains through the glossary.
Unassign Identifiers in Workflow Measurements [2024.10.IV.6]
Identifier assignment is now available as a dropdown in the workflow measurements setup, simplifying the setup process.
Default Cursor Position for Workflow Measurements[2024.10.IV.7]
Users can set the default cursor field for measurements, enhancing compatibility with various devices, including Bluetooth and HID devices
Study Execution Timezone [2024.10.IV.8]
Users can set a study-specific timezone to display tasks correctly across different team locations, especially useful when study leads and scientists work in separate time zones.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Rename cages based on group number during recaging [2024.10.IV.9]
Users can now rename cages by group number (e.g., 1A, 1B) for more straightforward identification during recaging.
Bulk Assign Animal Names During Recaging [2024.10.IV.10]
Users can assign new animal names across cages using a repeated pattern or sequential numbering with a custom prefix, facilitating easy identification.
Recage Animals Without Group Assignments [2024.10.IV.11]
Users can now include ungrouped animals in the recaging step, with the option to name cages "Unassigned" and edit them as needed.
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.
Saved Column Mapping [2024.10.RI.1]
Users can now define and save custom column mappings to streamline data imports. This feature allows incoming spreadsheet data fields to be mapped to specific Benchling fields, with saved mappings that can be reused for future imports, saving time and reducing manual configuration.
Insights
Insights enables users to query, visualize, and share high quality, structured data that resides in Benchling.
View Unarchived Results in Archived Schemas [2024.10.IN.1]
Users now have the option to view unarchived results from archived Result schemas directly on the Results tab.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Benchling Connect
Benchling Connect, formerly Lab Automation, enables seamless integration of Benchling to liquid handlers, plate readers, imaging instruments, and more.
Upgrade Allotropy to 0.1.56 [2024.10.BC.1]
Change logs: https://github.com/Benchling-Open-Source/allotropy/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#0156---2024-09-26
Upgrade Allotropy to 0.1.57 [2024.10.BC.2]
Change logs: https://github.com/Benchling-Open-Source/allotropy/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#0157---2024-10-09
Upgrade Allotropy to 0.1.58 [2024.10.BC.3]
Change Log: https://github.com/Benchling-Open-Source/allotropy/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#0158---2024-10-09
Update Allotropy version to 0.1.59 [2024.10.BC.4]
Change Log: https://github.com/Benchling-Open-Source/allotropy/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#0159---2024-10-11
Update Allotropy version to 0.1.60 [2024.10.BC.5]
Change Log: https://github.com/Benchling-Open-Source/allotropy/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#0160---2024-10-15
Update Allotropy version to 0.1.61 [2024.10.BC.6]
Change Log: https://github.com/Benchling-Open-Source/allotropy/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#0161---2024-10-16
Update Allotropy version to 0.1.62 [2024.10.BC.7]
Change Log: https://github.com/Benchling-Open-Source/allotropy/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#0162---2024-10-30
Updates to Electrophoresis Connectors [2024.10.BC.8]
Added support for the MEASUREMENT transform to Electrophoresis connectors, enhancing compatibility with measurement schemas.
Updates to Plate Reader Connectors [2024.10.BC.9]
Plate Reader connectors now support error documentation, improving error tracking during data capture.
Updates to Solution Analyzer Connectors [2024.10.BC.10]
Added support for Light Obscuration measurement schema in Solution Analyzer connectors.
Updates to Cell Counting connectors [2024.10.BC.11]
Cell Counting connectors now support the MEASUREMENT transform, streamlining measurement workflows.
Revvity Matrix Connector Release [2024.10.BC.12]
The new Revvity Matrix Connector is now available. For setup guidance, see the Connector Guide.
Thermo SkanIt Connector Release [2024.10.BC.13]
The Thermo SkanIt Connector is now released. For configuration details, refer to the Connector Guide.
Associate Studies with Plates in Lab Auto Run [2024.10.BC.14]
Users can now associate studies with plates created via Lab Auto Run, excluding specific well associations. This feature supports study tagging for automated lab workflows.
Archive Connection Equipment Unassociation [2024.10.BC.15]
Users can now unassociate equipment from archived connections, allowing flexibility in equipment management.
To enable this feature, contact a Benchling representative.
Plate Reader Calculated Data Columns [2024.10.BC.16]
Plate Reader connectors now include calculated data columns within the MEASUREMENT format, supporting enhanced data analysis.
Optional Fluorescent Tag Setting for Cell Counters[2024.10.BC.17]
The fluorescent tag setting in Cell Counters is now optional when using fluorescence detection, allowing for more flexible setup options.
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.
Enhanced Error Messages for Missing Units [2024.10.AC.1]
Users will now see a clear message if a unit is missing in Inventory tables, prompting the tenant admin to add it to the Unit Dictionary before use.
Improved Configuration Migration Error Messages [2024.10.AC.2]
Enhanced error messages now specify the schema and columns where units are assigned, assisting users in understanding that units cannot be moved between tenants using the configuration migration tool.
Refined Configuration Migration Language [2024.10.AC.3]
The language in configuration migration has been made more concise and aligned with Benchling standards, especially during import and validation processes.
Disabled MD5 Authentication for Direct Warehouse Access [2024.10.AC.4]
MD5 authentication is no longer supported for direct connections to the Warehouse; only SCRAM-SHA-256 encryption is permitted for improved security.
Updated Unsubscribe Message in Emails[2024.10.AC.5]
Email unsubscribe messaging now reads: "Don't want to receive these emails? [Unsubscribe here].
Stability Support for Warehouse Tables [2024.10.AC.6]
Bioprocess customers can now see Warehouse tables in alpha or beta states, reflecting varying stability levels as configured by Benchling developers.
Whitespace Removal in String Searches [2024.10.AC.7]
String searches now automatically remove whitespace, making searches more accurate and streamlined.
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.
Embeddable Canvas Now Generally Available [2024.10.DP.1]
The new Embeddable Canvas, a type of App Canvas, can now be embedded directly within a Notebook, providing an integrated, interactive experience.
Bug Fixes
Notebook
· Fixed an issue where @-mentioning a user didn't surface the searched username
· Fixed an issue where inserting a header removed cursor position in Entries
· Fixed an issue where users were unable to add lines between an inserted table and section header
· Fixed a bug where hyperlinks to entries that were added to table cells were not opening the entry in a new tab
Molecular Biology
· Alignment selection bug fix - Fixed a bug where users couldn't scroll left-right to select bases outside of their window in alignments
· AA assembly bug fix - Fixed a bug where an AA assembly could be improperly linked to a sequence and assembly history would crash
· Back translation bug fix - Fixed a bug where we incorrectly blocked back translation in some cases with the error message "R
· Fixed a bug where cloning or reverting a sequence version could fail because of primer pair validation
· Fixed a bug where, if a given part matched a sequence many times, hoisted annotations from the part could be improperly displayed
In Vivo
· Fixed a bug where the folder ID for the in vivo sync app location could not be edited on a Study
· Fixed an issue with redirecting the user to a link when when first requiring authentication through username and password.
· Resolved an issue where Tasks were Failing to Load in the scheldule page.
· Fixed an issue where the Groups and Animals were not sorted correctly in the task target.
· Fixed a bug where Columns that were added to table using the show menu disappears when moving to next page in colony tables.
· Fixed an issue where calculations were not being performed upon clicking "calculate" in the preset preview if the calculated output measurment was the first in the list.
· Fixed a bug regarding adding alert during study creation when using clone study design which was overwriting previous alert
· Fixed an issue where the correct unit was not being displayed for the y-axis for cumulative graphs.
· Fixed a bug where the animals filter was not working correctly using measrurement is less than option
· Fixed an issue where device readings were not coming through if the user tried to send a measruemnet reading from a device outside of the context of the study before entering the study.
Registry and Inventory
· Fixed a bug where were only accepting inputs for position coordinates/alphanumeric positions but not numbered positions in an Inventory Update table within a Notebook entry.
· Fixed issue where plate records in Notebook entries couldn't be deleted
Workflows
· Fixed bug where users could not execute workflows tasks into pre existing entries
· Fixed bug where users were unable to configure flowchart transitions between entity fields
· Fixed bug in our "execute into existing entry" flow where we did not preserve any preexisting rows in the task table. Previously we would re-create the rows based on the tasks which would remove any unsubmitted changes.
Benchling Connect
· Fixed NanoDrop Eight connector .TSV files failing converting to ASM json
· Fixed Agilent Gen5 Image connector "Transmitted Light Setting" not populating for keys in file
· Nanodrop 8000 adatper: Added a new format for output CSVs that splits unit into a separate column, instead of putting it in the column name
· No summary provided.
Application Core
· Fixed a bug where during config migration dropdowns were marked for update even though no differences existed
· Fixed error code being returned when an API caller tried to add someone to an org who was already a member of the org
Compliance Controls
· Fixed an issue to only show final concentrations after entity transfers to a plate occurs via lab auto runs.
Bioprocess
· Fix study start date label - Previously, the study start date said end date. This fixes the label so that it properly reads "start date."