Hi,
I am in the same boat as you.But I have decided to look for a Master program to gain the research experience I lack.
I am an international applicant , 27 years old and I graduated 5 years ago from a small university with no reasearch experience at all.
I think getting in biology master program is relatively easier than getting in Phd ? although you will have to prepare the same documents and pass the same GRE exams.But there are many master programs that provide funding through teaching/research assistantshipS.
Think about it.
Good Luck