The aim of this brief paper is to report on research that utilized Gigapan imaging technology to explore the usage of literacy in the benchspace of a microbiology laboratory.

The paper addressed the following questions: 

1. What genres are used in the bench space of a microbiology laboratory?
2. What are the functions of these genres within the microbiology laboratory? Results revealed a range of genres within the laboratory benchspace environment that fulfilled four functions: 
1. Presentation of Visual Data
2. Presentation of Procedural Information
3. Constructing and Announcing Personal and Social Identity
4. Personalizing Science

These functions fulfilled the aims of conducting laboratory research and constructing personal,

social and professional connections.