When its founders, Richard Chan and Winston Walker, learned that educators were purchasing their research-grade equipment to help students get hands-on experience with electrophoresis in their classrooms, they sought to develop a teacher and student-friendly electrophoresis system that was safe, compact, fast, and affordable, making it possible to complete inquiry based biology labs in the span of a classroom period.
The game-changing MiniOne Electrophoresis System replaces the traditional electrophoresis running tank, power supply, and UV transilluminator. Thanks to its thoughtful and innovative features, the MiniOne enables students from age 11 – 17 to explore real-world topics like forensics, DNA fingerprinting, genetics, and food safety with engaging, hands-on labs. Its affordable price tag allows teachers in underserved communities to access this essential learning tool, and because of its portability, it’s been brought to both small, rural classrooms, as well as the remote jungles of Peru and Borneo.
As the MiniOne grew in popularity, thanks to both its efficiency and affordability, as well as the high-quality lab results that it produces, the team continued to develop new products with the goal of bringing inquiry-based learning to life science students.
The MiniOne PCR System allows teachers to bring DNA amplification into classrooms by letting students to program and monitor protocols via a mobile app, completing amplification in as little as 20 minutes. The Winston gives students as young as 11 the chance to use fluorescence to understand important life science concepts like dilutions and calculating concentrations.
The greatest reward for the company has been the feedback from educators who have made the switch to the MiniOne Electrophoresis System. Teachers are thrilled with its simplicity and price tag, but especially rave about the system’s ability to engage their students and help them master the skills that they can use in their future careers in STEM fields. Beyond the technology, MiniOne prides itself on second-to-none customer service and help teachers decide which equipment and labs are best for their students. The company’s greatest advertisement has been word of mouth, with teachers worldwide recommending the system and lab kits to their colleagues and friends, extolling their unparalleled quality and value. The response has been truly overwhelming.
In 2020, we started rolling out the MiniOne® Systems equipment and labs in Europe. Being based in Kessel and with the European warehouse in Olen, we supply our products and provide the technical service from this centralized place in Europe. Jean-Paul Sanders has more than four decades of life sciences business experience. He controls the European operations.
