Amino Labs FAQ

Biological/Genetic Engineering is an interdisciplinary area focusing on the application of engineering principles to biological systems in order to solve problems in the realm of sustainable food, materials, energy, and health. 

Similar to miniature factories, bacteria follow DNA programming that has been inserted into their "bodies" through genetic engineering and create products in response. Each bacterium produces a small quantity of the product which, when cultivated in large vessels, create significant amounts of pigments, medicine, plastic compounds, etc, that can be extracted and used by industries and individuals. As bacteria multiply rapidly and easily when fed sugars and kept in a controlled environment, creating products through genetic/biological engineering is sustainable and safe.

Thanks to the hard work of scientists around the world, programming DNA is improving our quality of life and keeping diseases at bay. Already in the hands of hundreds of millions of people each day, the number of genetically engineered products will continue to rise in the future. And now, you too can program bacteria! Amino Labs Kits have everything you need to bioengineer for the first time or the hundredth! 

By getting hands-on experience with genetic engineering and biotechnology, you will become immersed in some of the most cutting-edge science of the 21st century. Find out more hands-on and in more details by completing our Virtual Bioengineer online simulations.

You can also read more about bioengineering, Genetic engineering and biohacking in this blog post

By doing! Amino Labs kits combine hands-on experiments with clear instructions, videos, virtual experiment simulators, and optional lessons and activities.

Everything you need for the science itself is included. All the ingredients in the experiment kits are pre-measured and labelled, making it easy to spend less time setting up and more time exploring the science. Our all-in-one DNA Playground reduces setup time, mess, and the need to obtain and calibrate multiple machines. The instructions are easy to follow for non-scientists and scientists alike.

New to biotechnology? Our free Virtual Bioengineer™ simulators let you practise many experiments before working with the physical kit. The Zero to Genetic Engineering Hero™ book can also take you deeper into the biology behind what you’re doing.

Amino Lab's Experiment Kits make it easy to learn the fundamentals of growing, engineering and manipulating cells. For example, with the Engineer-it kit and many of the advanced kits, you can easily add a DNA program into living cells, grow and take care of those cells so that they can produce something for you—light, pigments, enzymes, materials, and more! 

All the components in the kits are pre-measured and labeled for ease-of-use. Illustrated manuals are available on our instruction manual page, and we also have follow-along videos on our YouTube channel. The kits can be combined to get an end-to-end bioengineering experience. You will find detailed information for each kit in the different sections of the manuals and the theory behind the experiments in the Zero to Genetic Engineering Hero book.

For example, here is an overview of how some of the kits work together: using an Engineer-it kit and Extract-it (Plate) Kit you can:

• take the provided colour-generating DNA program (inspired by corals) and insert it into bacteria,
• amplify the bacteria to obtain a lot of pigment-producing bacteria, 
• extract and purify the pigments grown in the bacteria, getting rid of the bacteria
• paint or dye things with your bio-pigment!

Do-It-Yourself Biology — often called DIYBio, community biology, or biohacking — is a movement built around the idea that learning and experimenting with biology doesn't have to happen only inside universities and large research institutions.

DIYBio communities bring together scientists, students, artists, designers, educators, hobbyists, and curious people to learn about biology hands-on. Some work independently at home, while others meet in community biology labs and makerspaces where people can share equipment, skills, and ideas.

Amino Labs grew from many of these same ideas: biology becomes much easier to understand when you can actually do it. Traditionally, getting started meant finding a laboratory, specialized equipment, materials, and often someone with enough experience to guide you through your first experiments. We design our kits, equipment, instructions, and virtual simulators to lower those barriers while building safety and good laboratory practices into the learning experience.

DIYBio rules vary around the world, particularly for genetic engineering. If an experiment can't be completed at home where you live, a community biology or DIYBio lab may provide an appropriate place to learn and experiment. You can explore spaces around the world through the DIYbio.org Local directory.

Instruction manuals are available online, so you can have a look before your kit arrives or pull them up whenever you need them. Your kit or equipment will also direct you to the relevant instructions and resources.

You can find manuals here https://amino.bio/pages/instruction-manuals

With extra videos, activities, and other experiment resources here https://wiki.amino.bio/

Depending on the experiment you are completing, you may need gloves, an apron or lab coat*, and a bleach-based cleaner or 70% isopropyl alcohol**. Protective eyewear is not required for most of our experiments, but you can wear it as part of good safe science practice, of course.

You'll find a list of the necessary supplies under the What else is needed tab on each product page and in the kit's instruction manual.

* The apron or lab coat helps protect your clothing when using bleach-based cleaners and is also part of establishing good safe science habits. It is not strictly necessary for most experiments.

** If your school or lab already uses a different disinfectant for microbiology work, such as 70% ethanol or another appropriate biocidal cleaner, you can use that instead. Follow your institution's procedures and the cleaner manufacturer's instructions.

Most kits come in Individual size and Group/Classroom size. These kits contain the same ingredients in different quantities, allowing you to complete one (individual size) or more (group size) of the same experiment.

The Individual Kit: an individual kit will include everything required to complete the experiment once. This can be done alone, in a small group or as a demonstration in front of a group.

The Group Kit: a group kit will include everything needed to complete the experiment 4 or 8 times, depending on the kit. That means a classroom or group can all perform the same experiment with a group kit. If you are working alone, you can also get a group kit if you know you'd like to repeat the same experiment a few times, like for a science fair project, or for honing your skills. Each Kit's product page will state how many experiments can be done with a Group kit, between 4 (advanced kits) and 8 (beginner kits)

In Canada and the United States, yes! Our microbiology kits use non-pathogenic Risk Group 1 organisms intended for work using Biosafety Level 1/Containment Level 1 practices. They are designed for hands-on learning outside a traditional laboratory when used according to the instructions.

Rules around genetic engineering can vary by country, so customers outside Canada and the United States should check their local requirements before completing genetic engineering experiments at home.

In Europe, however, containment laws vary by country. Please check with your local authorities or find a certified DIYBio space in your area. You can start by looking here https://diybio.org/local/ 

If you purchase a Zero to Genetic Engineering Hero starter pack, you can take it to one of these spaces and do the experiment. They'll probably love to join you!

Amino Labs kits are designed to make hands-on biology accessible outside a traditional laboratory. Check the individual product page for the equipment, setup, and supervision required for each experiment.

Our bacterial kits use non-pathogenic laboratory strains of E. coli K-12. These strains have a long history of use in teaching and research and are classified as Risk Group 1 organisms.

Many people hear E. coli and immediately think “pathogen!” But E. coli is actually a whole species made up of many different strains. Many strains live harmlessly as part of the normal intestinal microbiome, while a relatively small number of disease-causing strains are responsible for the E. coli outbreaks you may hear about in the news.

The story of K-12 goes back more than 100 years. The original E. coli K-12 was isolated in 1922 and later became a favourite organism for teaching and research. As generations of scientists grew, shared, studied, and adapted it for laboratory work, K-12 became one of the most widely studied organisms in biology. It has helped scientists learn how genes work, how cells function, and how DNA can be engineered.

Today's K-12 laboratory strains are quite different from disease-causing E. coli. They lack the traits associated with pathogenic strains and have become highly adapted to laboratory conditions. K-12 strains are also poor at establishing themselves in the human gut. That's one of the reasons K-12 is such a useful organism for teaching and biotechnology research.

Amino Labs uses K-12 E. coli for our bacterial experiments. As with any microbiology experiment, always follow the handling, cleanup, and disposal instructions provided with your kit.

Each experiment will have its own timeline, between one day and 12 days, and most will need to be completed on consecutive days since bacteria grow on their own schedule! Have a look at each kit's product page for a quick glance at the timeline, and in the instruction manuals for a detailed explanation.

Some experiments, like the Canvas Kit and the Engineer-it Kit can be completed with some timing "hacks" to fit within a specific schedule you might be working with, like in school, club or in summer camp. If this is the case, these will be outlined in the instruction manuals, and you can always check with us before by contacting us.

For example, there are 2 timelines for running an Engineer-it Kit experiment: the 4-day recommended timeline, and the 3-day timeline.  Each timeline requires consecutive experiment days, but in the instruction manual, you'll also find a few tips and tricks to modify the timeline to wait a week between each "day" of the experiment should you need it. Have a look! 

Try the Troubleshooting Guide:

Visit https://amino.bio/pages/success-guarantee where you can launch and use a simple application that will help you to identify what went wrong and get some insights into your experiment.

All kits that expire will have a "Best by" sticker on the label. The sticker will say "Best by the end of: Month/Year". Use your kits before the end of the Month on the sticker for best results. If you can't use the kits by their best-by date, we have replacement bacteria available so your kits can still be used: the only items that will expire within those months are the bacteria - the rest of the items, like the agar and selection tablets, are good for at least a year. 

We ship our kits so that they have at least 3 months' lifespan from when you receive them. Once you receive your order, place the kit(s) in the refrigerator according to the storage information card in your box. 

Kits that don't have a "Best by" sticker, like the Bioplastic Kits or the DNA Extraction Kit, do not expire if stored properly. You can use them at any time. 

The Engineer-it Kit™ lets you complete a real bacterial transformation, the process of giving living bacteria a new piece of DNA and seeing how that new DNA changes what the cells can do.

Think of a cell as a tiny living factory. Its DNA contains the instructions that tell that factory how to grow, function, and make things. Bacteria also use much smaller pieces of DNA called plasmids. A plasmid contains only a handful of instructions compared with the bacterium's complete genome, which makes plasmids incredibly useful tools for biotechnology.

With the Engineer-it Kit, you give non-pathogenic K-12 E. coli a new plasmid, which we sometimes call a DNA Program because it helps make the idea more intuitive. Depending on the version of the kit you choose, that DNA can give the bacteria instructions to produce a colourful pigment or another visible characteristic.

Of course, cells don't simply swallow DNA because we ask nicely! DNA doesn't normally pass easily through the bacterial cell membrane. During the experiment, you'll first prepare the cells so they can take up plasmid DNA, a state scientists call competent. You'll then combine the cells and DNA and use a temperature change to help the plasmid enter some of the cells.

How do you know which cells received the new DNA? That's where selection comes in. You'll grow bacteria on both non-selective and selective agar plates. The plasmid includes a selectable marker, so the selective plate helps reveal which cells successfully took up the new DNA. Comparing your plates lets you see the logic of a genetic engineering experiment rather than simply being told that it worked.

During the Engineer-it experiment, you'll:

• prepare selective and non-selective agar plates;
  
• grow and streak non-pathogenic K-12 E. coli;
  
• prepare the cells to take up DNA;
  
• transform the cells with a DNA Program;
  
• allow the transformed cells to recover;
  
• grow them on selective and non-selective plates; and
  
• observe the resulting colonies and the new trait encoded by your DNA Program.
  

The end result may be colourful bacteria, but the experiment is really about something much bigger: learning how scientists design an experiment, introduce DNA into a living cell, use controls and selection, and interpret the results.

Want to see how it works before trying it hands-on? Try our free Virtual Bioengineer™ Engineer-it Kit simulator and practise the transformation online first. You can also watch some tutorials on YouTube.

If you don't have a DNA Playground, you will need to get:

• Ice and Ice Bucket
• Warm water bath (can be done using a bowl and manually setting water temperature)
• Thermometer
• Incubator to incubate cell and plates -- this needs hold 37C degrees. You can even make your own! 

See the full instructions in our instruction manuals and in this online course

Absolutely! You can try to mix your colors during the pigment extractions. Of course, this might not be how scientists would do it in the lab (they would more than likely extract each color separately) but we've done it in our lab, and it can create some fun results, especially if you mix a non-fluorescent color with a fluorescent one! 

Have fun!

If you let the plates grow at room temperature for a week,. they will not overgrow! But growing at room temperature (and not 37C) will give you pastel versions of the color. In other words, the colors will not get as bright as if you incubate them at 37C, but they will still be beautiful. Have a look at the image below to see the difference in colors. Don't forget to place the petri dishes in a closed, resealable bag while they incubate at room temperature so that they don't dry out!  

In the refrigerator, they would unfortunately not grow - but you could use the refrigerator in another way: If you have a 37C incubator, you can incubate the painting palettes for 24 to 36 hours before spring break, and then pop them in a resealable bag or tupperware-style plastic container, place them in a refrigerator and that will keep them fresh for you to use with the students the following week (or many weeks later!) 

If you don't have an incubator, you can have a look at this simple tutorial on how to make a quick one with items from around the house or classroom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEsv0Qvbczs 

With the Individual size Keep-it kit, you can preserve up to 3x 6 cm petri dish. 6cm petri dish are the ones included in all Amino Labs experiment kit.  If you want to preserve the larger 10 cm petri dishes, we recommend 1 Keep-it kit per 10 cm petri dish. 

With the Group size Keep-it kit, you can preserve up to 8x more petri dishes than with the Individual kit. That means in one group kit you will receive 8 individual kits! So, up to 24x  6 cm petri dishes can be preserved. If you want to preserve the larger 10 cm petri dishes, you will be able to preserve 8 of them.  

Note that the kit comes with petri dish stands made for 6 cm petri dishes. If you are preserving 10 cm petri dishes, email us with your order number so we can swap out the stands for one to fit your larger petri dish!

In genetic engineering, practice makes perfect! Having even one engineered colony on your experiment plate is a success! Often times, one colony is all a scientist really needs to continue their experiment, so congratulations!

It is actually very likely that you will get more colonies next time, as your skills and understanding of each step of the experiment gets better. Another way to maximize your chances of getting a lot of engineered colonies is to leave your engineered cells to recover for as long as possible, up to the 24 hour mark. 

Finally, to get more colonies next time, you can also practice with these resources to really hone your skills and knowledge:

• Watch the Engineer-it kit follow-along video and answer the worksheets as you go
• Answer the pre-lab quiz after having reviewed the instruction manual 
• Complete the Virtual bioengineer:Engineer-it kit simulator if you have not yet!

No! To complete Amino Labs experiments, you do not need to have a special lab in your school or your home. You can set up on any surface that can be wiped clean.

Our kits are made for hands-on learning in classrooms and at home, with safety built into the experiment.

While each experiment will have its own equipment requirements, they are designed to build on one another. The beginner experiments will need no equipment, while the most advanced may need a few pieces of equipment.

Have a look at each experiment kit's product page under the What else is needed tab or in the instruction manuals to find out what each kit requires.

The DNA Playground™ is a simple and engaging science station that enables you to genetically engineer bacteria and to incubate and grow your bacteria. Small, contained and safe, this station is a new bioengineer's must! Watch tutorial videos on YouTube to see it in action.

It can be used at home or by educators in schools as an easy alternative to traditional and messy lab equipment. With a class setup time of under 10 minutes, the station allows you to get started with your genetic and biological engineering right away!

Each DNA Playground Large can do up to 4 simultaneous transformations and replaces the need for heated water baths, ice buckets and ice, an incubator, a timer and thermometers. It complements the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and is compatible with most bacterial transformation kits available on the market.  

Learn more here

If you already have your own lab, you can use an incubator, a heat bath and crushed ice to complete the experiments without the DNA Playground.

You can find instruction manuals and resources for Amino Labs equipment here. They’re available online anytime, so there’s no need to keep track of a paper copy.

It depends on which experiments you'd like to teach! Many beginner experiments need little or no specialized equipment, while advanced experiments may require an incubator, controlled-temperature water bath, centrifuge, or other equipment.

Amino Labs kits are designed to build on one another, so you don't need to purchase a full traditional lab to get started. Our DNA Playground™ also combines several commonly needed functions into one compact system.

Check the What else is needed section on each product page, or contact us and tell us what you'd like your students to learn, how many students you have, and what equipment you already own. We'll be happy to help you put together a setup that makes sense.

A few problems can arise when using the simulators: 

• You are trying to use the simulators on mobile. Sorry! Our simulators are not yet optimized for mobile device use - you need to be on a computer browser to use them. We are working on adding mobile capabilities. 

• You have a pop-up blocker or similar enabled. For certain drag-and-drop actions, a pop-up blocker seems to cause issues. Try to disable it for the simulator. 

• The simulator is still loading in the background. The timing of the actions can be off if you have a slow internet connection. In general, by the time you read the text on the screen, the simulator is ready for you to perform the action. If nothing happens and you know you are performing the right action (more on that below), then wait up to a minute and retry. Hopefully the simulator is done loading by then!

• You are not doing the action required by the simulator... for example, you may need to be "mixing" your agar into your water bottle by clicking and dragging the bottle up and down on the screen for a few seconds. Have a look at our simulator videos below. They are like a cheat sheet for the actions! 

• What is DNA simulator video: https://youtu.be/BstmZR0PehI
• Canvas kit for living paintings & bioart simulator video: https://youtu.be/hxwzd2FnY3w
• Engineer-it kit for genetic engineering simulator video: https://youtu.be/EYGDaTS-ewI 

Have a look at our Google Classroom for Educators and our blog to see if the resource already exists. If you are looking for plasmid maps, or a resource we don't have, reach out.

If you want to contribute a resource you created, amazing! Let us know.

Congratulations! Reach out to us for the answer keys!

If you are interested in completing an experiment kit, and are wondering what equipment and safety supplies you will need, have a look at the product description on the kit's product page (under the photos). You'll see a tab called "What's included" and "What else is needed". These tabs should contain all the information you need, including any safety supplies you'll want to have on hand, like gloves and cleaner.

We know that getting started with something new can be a bit daunting, and we're here to help. So if you still have any questions at all, or want to see if your own existing equipment is up to the task, don't hesitate to use the live chat bubble in the bottom right corner or contact us page to reach out.

We completely get it, we change our minds too! Please contact us right away if you'd like to cancel or change your order.

If your order has not yet entered fulfillment, we may be able to make the change. Because orders can enter fulfillment before we're able to process your request, cancellations and changes aren't guaranteed.

Once an experiment kit has been fulfilled or shipped, it is final sale. If there's a problem with your order, though, please reach out, we're always happy to help.

Absolutely! Contact us and one of our experts will be happy to discuss how we can help you reach your goals, from free resources to custom kits and lessons.

We'll be happy to speak over email, video chat and phone call. Let us know your preference when you reach out.

Absolutely! Send your P.O. to orders@amino.bio.

Need a quote, vendor information, or help completing your school's vendor forms? You can send those to the same address, and we'll be happy to help.

Of course. Please send us the vendor forms to fill out, or a link to the vendor registration process, and we'll be happy to complete the process.

Please use our orders (at) amino.bio email.

Yes! Many Amino Labs experiments are designed specifically for classrooms without traditional laboratory facilities.

Some advanced experiments require a few pieces of equipment, so check the What else is needed section on each product page before ordering.

Once your order is placed, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know that our fulfillment team has received your order. Once your order is fulfilled, you will receive an email notification with your tracking information. Shipping fees are non-refundable in the case of returns.

Yes, we ship to many countries worldwide from our manufacturing headquarters in Canada. Shipping costs will apply, and will be added at checkout.

When shipping internationally, we do not pre-collect import duties or taxes. Depending on your destination, you may be responsible for duties, taxes, brokerage fees, or other charges assessed by customs or the carrier. We identify our packages as educational science kits on customs documentation and can provide SDSs or other standard shipping documents when available. Please contact us if you need assistance.

Please note that if you are outside of North America, your country may have restrictions regarding genetic engineering activities in the home or school outside of a regulated lab. In Europe for example, each country has specific requirements. To learn more about your country's requirement, please check with your local authorities or find a local DIYBio space. You can start by looking here https://diybio.org/local/ 

For countries where we know the regulations prohibit you from doing experiments outside of a lab, we have disabled shipping at checkout. If you are in one of the countries that does not show up upon checkout, but have access to a lab space to work in, please contact us. We'll be happy to help you get the products you want for your lab.

Disclaimer for International Shipments

Please note that Amino Labs cannot assume responsibility for the following in connection with your order:

• Whether the kits clear your country’s customs or are refused entry
• Any supplementary paperwork, permits, or certificates that may be requested by customs authorities
• Any additional costs, duties, or fees assessed by customs or carriers
• Any local rules, laws, or legislation that may apply to the use of these kits in your country
  

If you choose to proceed with the order, it will be at your own risk. Amino Labs will provide standard commercial invoices and shipping documentation. Still, beyond that, the customer is responsible for ensuring compliance with their country’s import regulations and for covering any additional costs that may arise.

Your country may have special regulations and requires us to verify your acknowledgment of them before shipping. Some countries may even require us to send your kit directly to an approved lab space, like a school, university or industry lab, or community space.

Or, we simply haven't shipped there yet, and this is an oversight which is easily fixed.

Please contact us! 

Most orders are fulfilled within 1–10 business days, depending on the product and order size. For product-specific fulfillment information, have a look at the product page under Storage & Shipping.

At checkout, you'll also see an estimated delivery date based on our current fulfillment estimate and expected carrier transit time. This date is an estimate, not a guarantee — carrier, weather, or customs delays can sometimes change the final delivery date.

If you need your order for a specific date or event, please contact us before ordering, or as soon as possible after placing your order, and we'll do our best to make it happen! ☺︎

Safety is built into the design of our experiments. Our microbiology kits use non-pathogenic Risk Group 1 organisms intended for teaching and learning.

Each kit includes experiment-specific instructions for safe setup, handling, cleanup, and disposal. Some experiments require additional safety supplies such as gloves, protective eyewear, or disinfectant; these are listed on the product page and in the instruction manual.

Always read the instructions before starting an experiment, and visit our Practicing Safe Science page for general laboratory safety resources, checklists, activities, and quizzes.

So, what does Risk Group 1 actually mean?

For experiments that use living microorganisms, Amino Labs deliberately uses well-characterized, non-pathogenic laboratory bacteria and yeast. Risk Group 1 is the lowest microorganism risk classification and includes organisms that are unlikely to cause disease in healthy people or animals. E. coli K-12 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae — baker's/brewer's yeast — are examples of organisms classified as Risk Group 1 in Canada.

Low risk doesn't mean “forget about good lab practices”! Learning how to work cleanly, avoid contamination, wash your hands, use appropriate protective equipment, and dispose of an experiment properly are part of learning biology. They're also important for getting good experimental results.

People with weakened or suppressed immune systems can require additional precautions even when working with Risk Group 1 organisms. If this applies to you or someone participating in the experiment, review the safety information before beginning and seek appropriate advice if needed. PHAC likewise notes that RG1 material can present additional risk to people with compromised immune function.

You can have a look at our Practicing Safe Science guidelines before you begin. There you'll find general safety practices, quizzes, checklists, and other resources you can use at home or in the classroom.

Accessible biology and responsible biology go together.

Making biotechnology easier to access naturally raises questions about biosafety and biosecurity, and we think those are good questions to ask. Amino Labs was created around the belief that people understand biology better when they can engage with it directly, but access needs to come with the knowledge and practices to work responsibly.

Our co-founder and lead scientist, Dr. Justin Pahara, is an alumnus of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security's Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative (ELBI), a program focused on developing expertise and leadership in biosecurity.

We believe meaningful engagement with and understanding of biology happens through learning by doing. That's why we're working to make biotechnology approachable while giving new scientists the tools to practise it safely and responsibly.

And if you still have a question about safety, ask us! We're always happy to help.

Every Amino Labs instruction manual includes the safety information specific to that experiment. You can also visit our Practicing Safe Science page for general laboratory safety guidelines, quizzes, checklists, classroom posters, and other resources.

Always follow the instructions included with your particular experiment, as those will contain the most up-to-date and experiment-specific information.

Good question! Of course, at Amino Labs, we take safety seriously and we've addressed the use of antibiotics in the experiments and antibiotics resistance in this blog article: https://amino.bio/blogs/news/engineer-it-kit-safety

You can also find more information in the Zero to Genetic Engineering hero book chapter 3. 

We do! We have mini safety sets for home and classroom use that include nitrile gloves and reusable, wipeable aprons. You can add these to your cart separately, or include one in the Zero to Genetic Engineering Hero pack options when you add to cart.

Each experiment kit that has living organisms or tubes of DNA and antibiotics includes an inactivation bag and instructions on how to dispose of your materials safely and responsibly. You will need chlorinated bleach to complete this step, which we do not provide due to shipping regulations. If you are at a school or lab that uses a different type of inactivation cleaner than bleach like 70% ethanol, or a biocidal cleaner (it will say so on the bottle), those are fine too.

If you have a question about your school or lab's cleaner, or any safety procedures, don't hesitate to reach out.

You can get extra inactivation bags for your independent experiments here: inactivation bags