---
title: "Bio-Research Start"
type: skill
id: "knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/start"
category: "Research"
publisher: "Anthropic"
license: "Apache-2.0"
source: "https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins/tree/d900840"
canonical: "https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/start"
open_in_pho: "https://pho.chat/customize?item=knowledge-work-plugins%2Fbio-research%2Fstart&utm_source=labs&utm_medium=skill-page&utm_campaign=skills-library"
---

# Bio-Research Start

Set up your bio-research environment and explore available tools. Use when first getting oriented with the plugin, checking which literature, drug-discovery, or visualization MCP servers are connected, or surveying available analysis skills before starting a new project.

Source: Anthropic (Apache 2.0), copied at a pinned commit. Free to use. Part of the Phở Skills library (https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills).
Skill set: Bio research (https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research.md).
Works best with a connected app (for example a CRM or a document store); without one it asks for the details instead.

## What it covers
- Step 1: Welcome
- Step 2: Check Available MCP Servers
- Step 3: Survey Available Skills
- Step 4: Optional Setup — Binary MCP Servers
- Step 5: Ask How to Help

## Other skills in this set
- [Instrument Data to Allotrope Converter](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/instrument-data-to-allotrope.md): Convert laboratory instrument output files (PDF, CSV, Excel, TXT) to Allotrope Simple Model (ASM) JSON format or flattened 2D CSV. Use this skill when scientists need to standardize instrument data…
- [nf-core Pipeline Deployment](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/nextflow-development.md): Run nf-core bioinformatics pipelines (rnaseq, sarek, atacseq) on sequencing data. Use when analyzing RNA-seq, WGS/WES, or ATAC-seq data—either local FASTQs or public datasets from GEO/SRA. Triggers…
- [Scientific Problem Selection Skills](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/scientific-problem-selection.md): This skill should be used when scientists need help with research problem selection, project ideation, troubleshooting stuck projects, or strategic scientific decisions. Use this skill when users…
- [scvi-tools Deep Learning Skill](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/scvi-tools.md): Deep learning for single-cell analysis using scvi-tools. This skill should be used when users need (1) data integration and batch correction with scVI/scANVI, (2) ATAC-seq analysis with PeakVI, (3)…
- [Single-Cell RNA-seq Quality Control](https://labs.pho.chat/en/skills/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/single-cell-rna-qc.md): Performs quality control on single-cell RNA-seq data (.h5ad or .h5 files) using scverse best practices with MAD-based filtering and comprehensive visualizations. Use when users request QC analysis…

## Use it
- In Phở: open https://pho.chat/customize?item=knowledge-work-plugins%2Fbio-research%2Fstart&utm_source=labs&utm_medium=skill-page&utm_campaign=skills-library and press Try, or add it so Phở loads it whenever a request matches. Phở works with your own API key (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others).
- Full instructions (original SKILL.md, unchanged): https://labs.pho.chat/skills/raw/knowledge-work-plugins/bio-research/skills/start/SKILL.md
- Original files: https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins/tree/d900840 (Apache 2.0).
- Full machine-readable index: https://labs.pho.chat/skills.json