Difference between revisions of "Laboratory informatics"

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[[Image:Pcr machine.jpg|thumb|right|An Eppendorf thermal cycler as an example of a laboratory device that measures, processes, and sends information]]'''Laboratory informatics''' is the specialized application of information through a platform of instruments, software, and data management tools that allow scientific data to be captured, migrated, processed, and interpreted for immediate use, as well as stored and managed to support future product development while maximizing [[laboratory]] operations.  
[[Image:Pcr machine.jpg|thumb|right|An Eppendorf thermal cycler as an example of a laboratory device that measures, processes, and sends information]]'''Laboratory informatics''' is the specialized application of information through a platform of instruments, software, and data management tools that allow scientific data to be captured, migrated, processed, and interpreted for immediate use, as well as stored, managed, and shared to support future research and development efforts while maximizing the efficiency of [[laboratory]] operations.<ref name="LM08Informatics">{{cite web |url=http://www.labmanager.com/?articles.view/articleNo/3127/title/Laboratory-Informatics/ |title=Informatics Are Really, Really, Really Important |author=Metrick, Gloria |publisher=Lab Manager Magazine |date=21 July 2008 |accessdate=01 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="CLIPaper">{{cite web |url=http://www.starlims.com/Intl/AL-Wood-Reprint-9-07.pdf |format=PDF |title=Comprehensive Laboratory Informatics: A Multilayer Approach |author=Wood, Simon |publisher=American Laboratory |date=September 2007 |pages=3}}</ref>


The field of laboratory informatics is a relatively new, rapidly developing field that has seen significant growth as demand for fast and efficient electronic data exchange has boomed. A rapid series of technological developments have made laboratory equipment less static and more interactive, allowing large networks of integrated lab devices, computers, and telecommunications equipment to log, analyze, and distribute data. This has progressively enabled scientific research projects to move from a localized model to a more global model, one that allows "involved researchers to spend less time collecting data or waiting for information to arrive from another location, which in turn allows them to focus more on the work at hand and makes their research both faster and more efficient."<ref>{{cite web_short|url=http://www.virtualinformatics.com/content/Laboratory_informatics.htm |title=Laboratory Informatics |publisher=virtualinformatics.com |date=09 April 2011 |accessdate=22 April 2011}}</ref> This has led to laboratories requiring more robust and scalable data management systems to stay competitive. The rapid rate of change in the technological and environmental needs of researchers — coupled with growing competition — has led to the creation of conferences like the IQPC Forum on Laboratory Informatics to help directors, managers, and researchers better keep up with the industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.labinformaticsforum.com/Event.aspx?id=428334 |title=IQPC 8th Forum on Laboratory Informatics |publisher=International Quality and Productivity Center |accessdate=2011-04-22}}</ref>  
The term "laboratory informatics has been in use at least since the early 1980s<ref name="ExcerptaMedica">{{cite journal |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=z4GaAAAAIAAJ&q=%22laboratory+informatics%22&dq=%22laboratory+informatics%22&hl=en |journal=Excerpta Medica |title=Health Economics and Hospital Management: Section 36 |volume=19 |issue=1 |year=1983 |page=72, 534}}</ref><ref name="NewSciLI">{{cite journal |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=uyceAQAAMAAJ&q=%22laboratory+informatics%22&dq=%22laboratory+informatics%22&hl=en |work=New Scientist |title=Research |publisher=New Science Publications |volume=109 |year=1986 |page=66}}</ref><ref name="InfoPath">{{cite journal |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=PbNYAAAAYAAJ&q=%22laboratory+informatics%22&dq=%22laboratory+informatics%22&hl=en |work=Informatics in Pathology |title=Introduction |publisher=Grune & Stratton |volume=1 |issue=1 |year=1986 |page=1}}</ref> and has expanded in meaning since then. The field itself is one which has seen significant growth as demand for fast and efficient electronic data exchange has boomed. A rapid series of technological developments have made laboratory equipment less static and more interactive, allowing large networks of integrated lab devices, computers, and telecommunications equipment to log, analyze, and distribute data. This has progressively enabled scientific research projects to move from a localized model to a more global model, one that allows "involved researchers to spend less time collecting data or waiting for information to arrive from another location, which in turn allows them to focus more on the work at hand and makes their research both faster and more efficient."<ref name="VI">{{cite web |url=http://www.virtualinformatics.com/content/Laboratory_informatics.htm |title=Laboratory Informatics |publisher=virtualinformatics.com |date=09 April 2011 |accessdate=22 April 2011}}</ref> This has led to laboratories requiring more robust and scalable data management systems to stay competitive. The rapid rate of change in the technological and environmental needs of researchers — coupled with growing competition — has led to the creation of conferences like the IQPC Forum on Laboratory Informatics to help directors, managers, and researchers better keep up with the industry.<ref name="IQPC8th">{{cite web |url=http://www.labinformaticsforum.com/Event.aspx?id=428334 |title=IQPC 8th Forum on Laboratory Informatics |publisher=International Quality and Productivity Center |accessdate=01 June 2013}}</ref>  


== Sub-topics in Laboratory Informatics ==
== Sub-topics in laboratory informatics ==


Laboratory informatics is often modeled as a central component or hub for other branching elements of the field. However, looking at the architecture in this fashion oversimplifies the field of laboratory informatics and risks giving the false appearance that branched elements of the field have greater importance than others. Instead, a multi-layered, non-hierarchical model of these elements that places an emphasis on an individual laboratory's identified business needs may be more appropriate.<ref>Wood, Simon (2007). [http://www.starlims.com/AL-Wood-Reprint-9-07.pdf "Comprehensive Laboratory Informatics: A Multilayer Approach"], pp. 2–3.</ref> A tiny but important cottage industry of businesses and consultants has developed from this philosophy, helping laboratories map their informatics needs to their corporate strategy.<ref>{{cite web_short|url=http://www.labvantage.com/services/services/labstrategy.aspx |title=Laboratory Informatics Strategy |publisher=labvantage.com |accessdate=22 April 2011}}</ref>
Laboratory informatics is often modeled as a central component or hub for other branching elements of the field. However, looking at the architecture in this fashion oversimplifies the field of laboratory informatics and risks giving the false appearance that branched elements of the field have greater importance than others. Instead, a multi-layered, non-hierarchical model of these elements that places an emphasis on an individual laboratory's identified business needs may be more appropriate.<ref name="CLIPaper" /> A cottage industry of businesses and consultants has developed from this philosophy, helping laboratories map their informatics needs to their corporate strategy.<ref name=">{{cite web_short|url=http://www.labvantage.com/services/laboratory-strategy.aspx |title=Laboratory Informatics Strategy |publisher=labvantage.com |accessdate=01 January 2013}}</ref>


Important sub-elements of laboratory informatics include but are not limited to:


Important elements of laboratory informatics include but are not limited to:
* [[Chromatography data management system]]s (CDMS)
 
* [[Electronic laboratory notebook]]s (ELN)
* Chromatography data management system (CDMS)
* Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
* [[Electronic laboratory notebook]] (ELN)
* [[Laboratory information management system]]s (LIMS)
* [[Enterprise resource planning]] (ERP)
* [[Laboratory information system]]s (LIS)
* [[Laboratory information management system]] (LIMS)
* Manufacturing enterprise systems (MES)
* Manufacturing enterprise system (MES)
* Process analytical technology (PAT)
* Process analytical technology (PAT)
* [[Scientific data management system]] (SDMS)
* [[Scientific data management system]]s (SDMS)


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 21:16, 1 June 2013

File:Pcr machine.jpg
An Eppendorf thermal cycler as an example of a laboratory device that measures, processes, and sends information

Laboratory informatics is the specialized application of information through a platform of instruments, software, and data management tools that allow scientific data to be captured, migrated, processed, and interpreted for immediate use, as well as stored, managed, and shared to support future research and development efforts while maximizing the efficiency of laboratory operations.[1][2]

The term "laboratory informatics has been in use at least since the early 1980s[3][4][5] and has expanded in meaning since then. The field itself is one which has seen significant growth as demand for fast and efficient electronic data exchange has boomed. A rapid series of technological developments have made laboratory equipment less static and more interactive, allowing large networks of integrated lab devices, computers, and telecommunications equipment to log, analyze, and distribute data. This has progressively enabled scientific research projects to move from a localized model to a more global model, one that allows "involved researchers to spend less time collecting data or waiting for information to arrive from another location, which in turn allows them to focus more on the work at hand and makes their research both faster and more efficient."[6] This has led to laboratories requiring more robust and scalable data management systems to stay competitive. The rapid rate of change in the technological and environmental needs of researchers — coupled with growing competition — has led to the creation of conferences like the IQPC Forum on Laboratory Informatics to help directors, managers, and researchers better keep up with the industry.[7]

Sub-topics in laboratory informatics

Laboratory informatics is often modeled as a central component or hub for other branching elements of the field. However, looking at the architecture in this fashion oversimplifies the field of laboratory informatics and risks giving the false appearance that branched elements of the field have greater importance than others. Instead, a multi-layered, non-hierarchical model of these elements that places an emphasis on an individual laboratory's identified business needs may be more appropriate.[2] A cottage industry of businesses and consultants has developed from this philosophy, helping laboratories map their informatics needs to their corporate strategy.[8]

Important sub-elements of laboratory informatics include but are not limited to:

References