What are the key LIMS elements for ISO/IEC 17025 compliance?
With a LIMS as a critical component of maintaining quality and ISO/IEC 17025 compliance labs, we discover that a LIMS should address aspects like complete sample data capture, unique sample identifiers, multi-level test result reviews, validation of sampling and test methods, calibration and training documentation, nonconformance and deviation tracking, data retention, and secure granular user access, among other things. [Read More]
Invitation for Bids: Laboratory Support and Technical Assistance for the Testing of Lead in Drinking Water, Paint, Dust, and Soil
Solicitation #: IFB-9052
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania’s Health Department is seeking a vendor to provide laboratory support and technical assistance for the testing of lead in drinking water, paint, dust, and soil. See the IFB for details.
Due date: 10 January 2024, 11:30 a.m.…
CSols Presents Lab Informatics Training at the Pittcon 2024 Short Courses
CSols Inc. is pleased to announce that the Pittcon committee has again selected a CSols expert consultant to present a short course at the 2024 conference in San Diego, California, February 24–28. The LIMS and ELN short courses that have been presented by CSols consultants over the last 15 years have helped lab, IT, and business personnel take on a lab informatics project with confidence and are always attendee favorites. Join us this year to learn what you need to succeed with your own lab informatics project. [Read More]
GitHub as an open electronic laboratory notebook for real-time sharing of knowledge and collaboration
In this 2023 paper published in the journal Digital Discover, Scroggie et al. of the University of Sydney present their efforts towards utilizing the open developer platform GitHub as an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) for chemistry research. Noting a lack of open-source ELNs with a focus on non-organic chemistry that have a wealth of collaboration tools, as well as problems with expensive and inflexible commercial ELNs, the authors turned to the many open facets of GitHub to repurpose its workings for synthetic chemistry projects. After a brief discussion of GitHub, the authors explain how they used the various facets of GitHub for ELN-related tasks, including notebooks, data and metadata management, and collaborative tools. They also acknowledged several shortcomings of their approach, including learning Markdown, dealing with data storage limitations, and integrating discipline-specific applications. The authors conclude that some of GitHub's features "are undeniably more oriented towards coders, such as the Actions tab in which users can set up workflows using code, these features do not detract from GitHub's usefulness as an ELN, which lies mainly in its adaptability and capacity for knowledge-sharing and collaboration."
Request for Proposal: Environmental Laboratory Analytical Services
Solicitation #: 754
“Texas State University (‘Texas State’ or ‘University’) is soliciting competitive Solicitations (‘Request for Proposals’ or ‘RFPs’) for the selection of a qualified and capable vendor to provide [Environmental] Laboratory Analytical Services to the University.”
Due date: 09 January 2024, 3:00 p.m.…
Invitation to Bid: As-Needed Asbestos, Lead, and other Heavy Metal Analysis Laboratory Services
Solicitation #: ITB 10090109-24-K
“The City of San Diego requires the as-needed services of qualified laboratories to perform asbestos, lead and other heavy metals analysis.” See the bid documents for further details.
Due date: 08 January 2024, 3:00 p.m. PST…
Invitation to Bid: Certified Laboratory Testing for Wastewater and Stormwater (Re-Bid)
Solicitation #: 2023-SWB-74
“The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (Board) is soliciting bids from companies to supply Certified Laboratory Testing for Wastewater and Stormwater services … Lab shall provide analytical services on an as-requested basis when authorized by receipt of samples with a properly completed chain of custody (COC) form from SWBNO or one of its representatives.…
Request for Tender: Laboratory Information Management System for Wageningen University & Research
Solicitation #: 2023/S 198-617762
Wageningen University & Research is seeking tenders for a laboratory information management system (LIMS). The procurement is in Dutch, and responses are expected to be in Dutch.
Due date: 08 January 2024, 12:00 GMT+1…
Invitation for Bids: Outside Environmental Testing and Laboratory Services
Solicitation #: 2024B-17
“The Metropolitan District [Commission] (MDC) is seeking to contract a qualified bioassay screening, organic, inorganics and microbiology laboratory to perform tests and render reports within specified parameters on wastewater, sludge, drinking water and other sample matrices in support of The MDC’s Water Pollution Control Facilities (WPCFs), Water Treatment Facilities (WTPs) as well as other MDC Departments as needed.…
Invitation to Bid: Environmental Laboratory Information Management System
Solicitation #: ITB-24-24588
Florida’s “Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) seeks a qualified Contractor to provide a laboratory information management system (LIMS) to manage data produced by the EPC Laboratory. The LIMS application shall ensure that the Laboratory’s operations run smoothly, and efficiently, and meet required certification guidelines.…
Laboratory Informatics Weekly Update – Volume 22, Issue 1
January 4, 2024 Laboratory Informatics Weekly Update Volume 22, Issue 1 In This Issue Featured Books LIMS Selection Guide for Food Safety and Quality Featured Content Streamlining Your Sample Tracking ProcessAny laboratory that handles large quantities of samples knows the pain of mishandling one (or a whole batch). In some industries, sample mishandling can get you sued or run out of business. If you’re working with lots of samples from lots of sources, you should know that there are ways to streamline your sample tracking process to avoid those scenarios. This blog post will show you how SampleVision works…Streamlining Your Sample Tracking Process
Any laboratory that handles large quantities of samples knows the pain of mishandling one (or a whole batch). In some industries, sample mishandling can get you sued or run out of business. If you’re working with lots of samples from lots of sources, you should know that there are ways to streamline your sample tracking process to avoid those scenarios. This blog post will show you how SampleVision works with your organization’s laboratory information management system (LIMS) or laboratory information system (LIS) to keep track of samples and streamline many common laboratory workflows. [Read More]
What are the organizational justifications for a LIMS?
Despite the benefits, it’s usually not a straightforward process to justify a LIM’s acquisition, implementation, and maintenance. The justification must go beyond monetary costs, to the organizational context, including short-/long-term goals, real and potential risks, and tangible/intangible benefits, painting a complete picture of how a LIMS benefits the organization, its staff, and its external stakeholders. [Read More]
Clinical Trials 101: Your Guide to Understanding How It Works
In the world of medical research, clinical trials are the forefront of advancement of research. They bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and real-world treatments, ensuring that new drugs, therapies, or devices are both safe and effective. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on these vital components of healthcare advancement. [Read More]
Streamlining Your Sample Tracking Process
Data has become one of the most valuable assets for any organisation, and laboratory data is no exception. However, accessing laboratory data has been difficult so far due to the use of outdated applications and architectures that underpin many LIMS applications. [Read More]
What does my lab’s “requirements” mean?
Software-based requirements are detailed lists describing the functions, capabilities, and qualities a software system must possess. These requirements are the foundation for designing, developing, testing, and delivering a software product that meets the goals and expectations of its users. Lab requirements for a LIMS are typically a combination of wish list items and regulation-mandated needs. [Read More]
SODAR: Managing multiomics study data and metadata
In this 2023 paper published in the journal GigaScience, Nieminen et al. of the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin present SODAR (System for Omics Data Access and Retrieval), an open-source scientific data management system (SDMS) with a focus on omics data management during multiassay research studies. Noting numeroud data management challenges and dearth of open-source options, the authors describe the software framework, features, and limitations of the system. Highlighting SODAR's "programmable application programming interfaces (APIs) and command-line access for metadata and file storage," the authors conclude that SODAR can readily "support multiple technologies such as whole genome sequencing, single-cell sequencing, proteomics, and mass spectrometry," though some aspects such as automated data export and "data commons" access are currently not available.
