Overview
Benchling is updating the platform infrastructure for Bioprocess and Bioanalysis. For most users, the day-to-day experience will feel very similar. However, there are specific changes to the recipe or assay design interface that customers should be aware of as they continue to use the Bioprocess and Bioanalysis products.
The majority of changes are UI-level updates that most users will not notice in their day-to-day work. The sections below highlight the most important changes by area.
Recipe & Assay Changes
Headers
- The navigation and display of recipe and assay headers has been updated for clarity.
Updated breadcrumb navigation: The breadcrumb trail at the top of the recipe/assay will display a cleaner, updated path.
- Lock icon added to published recipes: A lock icon now appears next to the recipe name when it is published to indicate it cannot be edited.
- Editing-disabled alert more prominent: If a recipe is locked, the alert indicating editing is not allowed will now appear prominently in the flowchart canvas area.
Flowchart
- The flowcharts have been updated to prepare for future capabilities.
Visual & Navigation Changes - Start node added: Every procedure now displays a 'Start' node at the beginning of the flowchart to indicate the start of execution.
- Curved lines for data flows: Material output → material input connections are now displayed as curved lines instead of straight lines.
- Unit op settings gear icon removed: The gear icon on unit operations has been removed. To edit or delete a unit operation, click on it to reveal an inline toolbar with Edit and Delete icons.
- Visibility filter removed from unit ops: The ability to filter what data is shown within a unit operation has been removed.
- Plus icons removed: Plus (+) icons that previously allowed adding unit operations before, in between, or after existing unit operations have been removed (see How to Add Unit Operations below).
- Drag-and-drop behavior updated: You can no longer drag a unit operation left or right to update a unit operations sequencing. However, you can now drag and drop unit operations freely anywhere on the canvas to support future capabilities.
Updated Draft Recipe view
Updated Published Recipe
Saving recipes or assays changes
Recipes and assays with validation errors can no longer be saved. You must resolve all validation errors before saving. In the future, we’ll make it possible to save recipes or assays that have validation errors, but prevent you from publishing them.
Material Type Auto-Correction Removed
Previously, when connecting a material output to a material input with a mismatched type, Benchling would automatically correct the input's type for you (a behavior sometimes called 'self-healing'). This automatic correction has been removed.
Going forward, when a type mismatch exists, a validation error will appear inline so you can identify and resolve it manually. This change is intentional — it ensures users maintain a clear understanding of their recipe configuration and prevents unintended automatic changes.
Validation Errors — New Behavior
Validation errors now appear in the unit operation header (red-tinted header).
Inline validation errors are now shown directly on material outputs and inputs within each unit operation node.
Unit Operations Changes
Headers
- Dropdown to switch between unit op definitions removed: You can no longer switch directly between unit operation definitions from the header dropdown.
- Updated breadcrumb navigation: Breadcrumb navigation has been refreshed for clarity.
- 'Flowchart' link replaced with 'X Close' button: The link to return to the flowchart has been replaced with an 'X Close' button in the upper area of the unit operation definition view.
Managing Unit Operations
How to Add a Unit Operation
Because the plus (+) icons have been removed, the process for adding a unit operation between existing steps has changed. Here is the updated approach:
- Step 1: Delete the transition (arrow) between the two unit operations where you want to insert the new one.
- Step 2: An arrow will appear to the right of the unit operation. Select it and choose 'Create new unit operation.'
- Step 3: Name and configure the new unit operation, then connect it to the downstream step.
How to Remove a Unit Operation
- Step 1: Click on the unit operation you want to remove to select it.
- Step 2: An inline toolbar will appear. Select the Delete icon to remove the unit operation.
- Step 3: Reconnect any remaining unit operations by drawing transitions between them as needed.
How to Modify the Order of Unit Operations
Unit operations can no longer be reordered by dragging left or right. To change the sequence of unit operations:
- Step 1: Delete the existing transitions connecting the unit operations you want to reorder.
- Step 2: Drag and drop the unit operations freely on the canvas to your preferred arrangement.
- Step 3: Redraw the transitions between unit operations in the desired order.
Unit Operation Duplication
The ability to duplicate a unit operation is no longer available. We plan to re-enable duplication of unit operations in the near future.
What Is Not Changing
The following aspects of your BioProcess experience remain unchanged after migration:
- Recipe and assay content, configurations, steps, parameters, and material definitions.
- Study, recipe run, and worksheet execution flows.
- Existing data, entries, and completed runs.
- Permissions and access controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the unit operation duplication feature gone permanently?
No. Duplication of unit operations is planned to be re-enabled this year.
Why can't I save a recipe with validation errors anymore?
This is a current limitation with the platform upgrade. In the future, we plan to make it possible for recipes or assays with validation errors to be saved, but not used or published. save a recipe or assay with validation errors.
How do I add a unit operation now that the plus icons are gone?
Delete the transition between the two steps where you want to insert the new unit operation. An arrow will appear to the right of the unit operation — select the arrow and then select 'Create new unit operation,' then reconnect your flow. See the 'How to Add a Unit Operation' section above for a step-by-step walkthrough.
Need Help?
If you have questions about these changes or encounter any issues, please contact your Benchling Account team or reach out to Benchling Support.