The Open Discovery Institute | Biotechnology Kits & Genomics

The Open

Discovery Institute

DIY Genetic
Engineering

Find a Kit

A close-up of gloved hands holding a clear multi-compartment sample vial with an orange cap, with a blue rack and more test tubes blurred in the background.

Choose Your Experiment,

Start Building

Make Bacteria Glow

Give bacteria a GFP gene and watch fluorescent colonies grow overnight on an agar plate. You can see the result yourself.

Try CRISPR

Edit a gene in E. coli using CRISPR, then use antibiotic selection to see whether the edit worked.

Build a Lab

Everything you need to build a working genetic engineering lab at home, in a classroom, or in a community biohacker space.

Most Popular Kits

Built for Doing Real Science

Outside Traditional Labs

13+ Years
of DIY Science

We’ve been building tools for hands-on biology outside traditional labs since The ODIN was founded in 2013.

Everything
Included

Our kits include the biological materials, reagents, supplies, and instructions needed to run the experiment.

Step-by-Step
Guidance

Clear protocols walk you through the experiment, with enough context to understand each step and troubleshoot it.

Built by a
Scientist

Our products come from years of doing genetic engineering inside and outside traditional laboratory settings.

We’ll Sequence

Your Entire Genome

30× whole genome sequencing for humans and other supported organisms, with FASTQ, BAM, and VCF files delivered to you.

30× whole genome sequencing

We don’t sell or license your genomic data

FASTQ, BAM + VCF included

Starting at $599

Explore Sequencing

Get Free Stuff

by Sharing Science

Share your experiments, biohacking projects, or science content with the community and earn up to $2 in store credit per post toward The ODIN kits and tools.

Learn How

Need Something

Custom?

Need a reagent, piece of equipment, or lab setup you can’t find off the shelf? We sometimes help experienced researchers source unusual materials and build custom setups. Tell us what you’re trying to do and we’ll see if we can help.

Talk to Our Lab

Lab Notes.

Read Our Journal

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From $3 Billion to $599: The Complete History of Genome Sequencing

May 26, 2026|Dariia Dantseva, Lead Product Development Scientist

From the first DNA sequencing methods in 1977 to the $3 billion Human Genome Project and today's $599 whole genome sequencing, discover how one of biology's most powerful technologies went from a scientific moonshot to something anyone can access.

Why We Built Our Genomics Service Around Your Privacy - and What That Actually Means

April 28, 2026|Dariia Dantseva, Lead Product Development Scientist

Your genome belongs to you, not to a company. Here's how The ODIN handles genomic data, why we never sell or monetize it, and how we give customers control over storage, deletion, and sharing. Plus, how animal genomes can contribute to open science, entirely by choice.

What is Whole Genome Sequencing — and What Can It Tell You About Yourself?

April 22, 2026|Dariia Dantseva

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) reads your entire genome — approximately 3 billion base pairs of DNA — rather than a pre-selected set of genetic markers. Now available for $599, WGS provides raw genetic data in industry-standard formats within 2–3 weeks. Discover how it works, what 30x coverage means, and how individuals, breeders, clinicians, researchers, and agricultural producers can use comprehensive genomic data.

How to Do CRISPR at Home: Beginner's Complete Guide (2026)

April 20, 2026|Dariia Dantseva

Discover how to get started with CRISPR gene editing at home. This beginner-friendly guide explains the science behind CRISPR, the tools you need, and how to approach your first experiment with The ODIN’s CRISPR Bacteria Gene Editing Kit – no prior biology experience required.