There comes a point in every lab where data gets scattered across paper files, spreadsheets, and a patchwork of laboratory systems. Manual processes can’t keep up with rising demand. Ultimately, customer satisfaction plummets with profound implications for the lab. All these challenges stem from the way labs manage information. If these 28 signs of laboratory information management challenges look familiar, your lab is ready for a LIMS. [Read More]

Lab automation is transforming the life sciences industry in fields such as synthetic biology and genetic engineering by streamlining processes and supercharging research and development. These advances will transform the practices of medicine, manufacturing, and agriculture, among others. Achieving lab automation may seem like a utopian dream, but it’s not as far off as you think. [Read More]

LIMS solutions always consist of an application, which provides the user interface, and an underlying database, which holds all the data securely. One of the features of Matrix Gemini is that it can offer a choice of multiple databases to connect to during startup. Our demonstration system uses this feature to allow us to show potential users the system most appropriate to them. However, this architecture also has benefits for users when it comes to organizing their data. [Read More]

Environmental testing laboratories play a pivotal role in safeguarding the quality of elements ranging from the air we inhale to the water we consume. In an era where data precision and ecological responsibility are paramount, LIMS is emerging as a transformative force that streamlines processes, supports regulatory compliance, and elevates sustainability efforts. [Read More]

Busy labs collect an incredible amount of data every day. From patient and sample data and test results to information about equipment, reagents, and personnel, data is the foundation of the lab business. So safeguarding this valuable data — maintaining its security and ensuring it is always accessible — is critical. In our last post, we shared four ways to ensure your cloud-based laboratory information management system (LIMS) keeps patient data safe. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at other ways to keep data secure, including data backups, disaster recovery plans, and security audits. [Read More]

In today's technologically advanced world, labs rely heavily on software solutions to streamline their operations and improve efficiency. However, with the adoption of digital systems comes the need for assessing and mitigating the associated risks. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of risk assessment in lab software and understand its significance in ensuring a safe and effective working environment. We discuss the intricacies of risk assessment, its key components, and the role it plays in the validation process. [Read More]

With the wide range of food and beverage products the consumer has available, they need assurance that the items they purchase are safe and will last on their shelves or in their refrigerators and freezers until they reach their use-by dates. That is the role that shelf life and stability testing play in the marketplace. That work can be assisted by automated testing, which in turn can be managed by a well-designed informatics system, such as LabLynx ELab LIMS, to organize, manage, and report the process of testing protocols. [Read More]

Materials science has been and continues to be an important study, particularly as we strive to overcome challenges such as climate change, pollution, and world hunger. And like many other sciences, the expanding paradigm of autonomous systems, machine learning (ML), and even artificial intelligence (AI) stands to leave a positive mark on how we conduct research on materials of all types. Ishizuki et al. of the Tokyo Institute of Technology and The University of Tokyo echo this sentiment in their 2023 paper published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods, which discusses the state of the art of autonomous experimental systems (AESs) and their benefits to material science laboratories. After introducing the topic, the authors explore the state of the art through other researchers' efforts, drawing conclusions based upon how AESs can be put to use in the field. After characterizing AESs' use and addressing sociocultural factors such as inventorship and authorship with AI and autonomous systems, the authors conclude that while AES will provide strong value to materials science labs, "human researchers will always be the main players," and this hybrid automation-human approach "will exponentially accelerate creative research and development, contributing to the future development of science, technology, and industry."