the importance of a laboratory information management system in a research setting

The importance of a laboratory information management system in a research setting

Absolomon Kihara

ILRI Biorepository Manager

Training workshop on the principles of laboratory management and equipment operations Holetta Agricultural Research Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

21 June 2013

Introduction

Overview

Data and Systems

Modules

Ideal Requirements

Modules – “up close and personal”

Systems Integration

Introduction

Overview

Data and Systems

Modules

Ideal Requirements

Modules – “up close and personal”

Systems Integration

What is a LIMS

A LIMS is an integrated system that is meant to

manage the activities and resources in a

laboratory.

Labcollector

Labcollector is one of MANY systems that tries to

solve the challenges of managing the different

aspects of a laboratory in a research setting.

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction

Overview

Data and Systems

Modules

Ideal Requirements

Modules – “up close and personal”

Systems Integration

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Data (Information) – why it matters

Huge amounts of data being generated every

day by the different processes and machines

For a better and holistic understanding of the

science

Better management of the laboratory resources

The “currency” of the world

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Systems – why they matter

Vast amounts of data being generated

They can be automated unlike human beings

Can simplify even the most complicated tasks

For better management of the lab

Because we are lazy

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction

Overview

Data and Systems

Modules

Ideal Requirements

Modules – “up close and personal”

Systems Integration

Examples of modules in a LIMS

Equipment

Samples

Primers

Animal/Plants

Reagents and Supplies

Documents

Photo

Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction

Overview

Data and Systems

Modules

Ideal Requirements

Modules – “up close and personal”

Systems Integration

Ideal Requirements

Open source

Using open source/free frameworks

Easy to interface with other systems

Customizable

Dynamic

Affordable

Looking for the perfect LIMS is like looking for a companion, you may

not find, and probably you wont find the perfect one, you just have to

settle with the one that you can tolerate.

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction

Overview

Data and Systems

Modules

Ideal Requirements

Modules – “up close and personal”

Systems Integration

Equipment Module

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

../Equipment Module

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Samples Module

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

../Samples Module

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Reagents and Supplies Module

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

../Reagents and Supplies Module

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Primers Module

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction

Overview

Data and Systems

Modules

Ideal Requirements

Modules – “up close and personal”

Systems Integration

Systems Integration (Why?)

Lack of a comprehensive system

Different needs by different labs

Automation of routine procedures

Different systems using different databases

but interrogating the same data

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Systems Integration scenarios

Data/Information display systems -

http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/avid_data/trays.php

Skeleton system for specific partners

◦ http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/avid/

◦ http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/ideal/

Other plug in systems

◦ Barcode generation system:

http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/LabelsPrinter/

◦ Photo management system:

http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/photo_gallery/

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

../other plug in systems

◦ Stabilate system:

http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/stabilates/

◦ Data import system:

http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/LimsUploader/

◦ Equipment monitoring system:

http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org,

http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/freezerweb/

Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

THANKS

Questions???