Introduction
An experiment in Benchling Bioprocess represents a structured execution of a Recipe designed within a Study. It consists of one or more Unit Operations, each made up of sequential Steps that define tasks carried out by operators. These experiments allow you to track process parameters, capture experimental data, and drive standardization across process development (PD) activities.
How to execute an experiment overview
Follow these steps to execute an experiment using a Worksheet in Benchling Bioprocess.
1. Enter the relevant Worksheet
- From the Study Overview tab, click the ▼ icon to expand the Unit Operations table
- Use filters if needed to view only pending Recipe Unit Operations
- Click the Worksheet chip to open the Worksheet for the condition and replicate you're executing
2. (Optional) Add Steps
- If the Step wasn’t included in the Recipe but you still want to track the actions taken, click the + icon next to the Step Group to add it.
- In the Add Step module:
- Enter the Step name (this can’t be changed later)
- Choose the Step position within the Step Group
- Optionally, start from a template or sub-template
- Click Add step
Note: You can only add Steps to the Run after starting the Run.
3. (Optional) Complete pre-run Steps
- Click into a Step to view its contents
- Follow the instructions and fill out the required tablesClick Complete step (or use the dropdown to skip or mark as failed)
Note: Parameter confirmation and measurement Steps typically remain open during the Run, as data is collected during execution.
4. Start the Run
- Click Start run in the upper-right of the Worksheet
- In the Start run modal:
- Set the start time
- Add comments if needed
- Optionally mark uncompleted Pre-run Steps as skipped
- Click Start run
Note: The start time affects process time calculations in Analysis datasets. Ensure it reflects the actual experiment start.
5. Complete Run Steps
- Open each Step, follow instructions, and submit required data
- For Registry-linked tables, confirm the naming options using the gear icon
- Click Complete step or use the dropdown to skip or mark as failed
Note: After Run completion, you can use the dropdown to amend a Step if edits are needed.
6. Complete the Run
- Once all Run tasks are complete, click Complete run.
- In the modal:
- Confirm start time and comments.
- Optionally mark uncompleted Steps as skipped.
- Click Complete run.
Note: Completing a Step does not automatically submit its tables.
After completing the Run, proceed with Post-run tasks or move to the next Unit Operation.
FAQ and troubleshooting
Do I have to complete every Step and Unit Operation to complete my Study?
No. Benchling Bioprocess supports flexibility. You can skip Steps and Unit Operations if they’re not relevant to a particular Run. You can also add Steps during execution, similar to Notebook entries.
Does completing the Run close the Study?
No. Completing all Recipe-related tasks closes the Unit Operations, but the Study remains open for non-recipe tasks.
Can I assign operators to a Step from the Worksheet?
No. Task assignments must be done from the Study Items dashboard or the Workflows dashboard in Bioprocess. You can:
- Assign Unit Operations and Steps
- Set due dates
- View assignments
Use the Workflows dashboard to manage assignments across multiple Studies.
Are there any technical limitations?
- Steps added during the Run can only be created after the Run has started.
- Step names cannot be edited once created.
- Tables in Steps must be manually submitted, even after marking the Step complete.
For more support, contact your Benchling admin or support@benchling.com