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The Bio Lab is the base module in Subnautica 2 where BioMods are managed and equipped. It is the hub of the reversible side of body modification: the player brings genetic material gathered in the field to a Bio Lab, produces BioMods there, and slots them into their loadout. The Bio Lab is central to the pipeline that turns creature DNA into usable perks, and it is distinct from the way permanent Adaptations are gained out in the world.

What the Bio Lab Does

The Bio Lab is where the player interacts with their BioMods rather than where they find them. At a Bio Lab the player can produce BioMods from collected DNA, equip and unequip them, and change which perks are active. Because BioMods are temporary and reversible, this management step matters: a player can retune a loadout at a Bio Lab between expeditions, leaning on mobility perks while exploring and on defensive perks before heading into hostile water.

A Bio Lab is available early. The first time the player interacts with a Bio Lab near the opening Lifepod, the starter BioMods are unlocked, which means the system is introduced close to the start of a playthrough rather than gated behind deep progression.

The Biosampler to Bio Lab to Gene Augmentation Pipeline

The Bio Lab sits in the middle of a three-stage pipeline that converts the moon's wildlife into equippable perks:

1. Collect DNA: the player uses the Biosampler, a handheld tool, to take genetic samples from creatures encountered while exploring.

2. Use the Bio Lab: the collected material is taken back to a Bio Lab, where BioMods are managed and equipped.

3. Use a Gene Augmentation Station: BioMods are produced and slotted through a Gene Augmentation Station, completing the chain from raw sample to active perk.

The full sequence is therefore Biosampler, then Bio Lab, then Gene Augmentation Station. Everything in that loop runs through built base modules and a handheld sampler, so none of it permanently rewrites the player's biology.

BioMod Slots at the Bio Lab

BioMods are slotted into a loadout managed at the Bio Lab. In the current Early Access build the player has one active BioMod slot and up to six passive BioMod slots. Most of the passive slots are locked at first and open up over time, and additional passive slots are planned for a later update. The exact slot figures reflect the current build and may change as the game develops.

How the Bio Lab Differs From Gaining Adaptations

It is worth being clear about what the Bio Lab is not. Permanent Adaptations are not gained at a Bio Lab at all. Adaptations come from the colored bulbs of Angel Comb growths out in the world: each bulb grants one Adaptation, is consumed on use, and enters the genome permanently. The Bio Lab handles only the reversible BioMod side, where perks can be swapped freely and never touch the genome.

See Also

• BioMods, the reversible perks managed here.

• Adaptations, the permanent counterpart gained from Angel Comb bulbs.

• Biosampler, the tool that feeds the pipeline.