to have a more formal way of managing the workflows, for both chemists and entry and experimental processes into a
research. Luckily, we realised this was coming biologists, will become more of an issue in shared notebook enables individuals involved
and could plan accordingly.’ the future, especially with scientists spread in a project to share and learn from others’
CRT implemented PatentSafe which is across the country.’ experiences,’ says Cheryl Lund, product
an electronic system designed to store data Amphora has also supplied its ELN manager at Symyx. ‘In addition, by allowing
that can be used in defence of patents. With to GlycoMar, a privately held marine individuals to access previous experiments
bases in the UK and US, Amphora supplies biotechnology company based near Oban, scientists can avoid repeating experiments
electronic systems, including ELNs, which Scotland. The company is involved carried out by other individuals.’
replace the bound laboratory notebook. in the discovery, development and Other key requirements for implementing
s guide 2009
The software suited CRT’s infrastructure commercialisation of anti-inflammatory the electronic system were ease-of-use, the
at the time of implementation, as it didn’t drug candidates based on the glycobiology ability to carry out searches within and across
tic
have the huge cost implications involved of marine organisms. Glycobiology is a experiments, and for the ELN to provide
with moving to a fully electronic system branch of biology that focuses on the role the flexibility to integrate into all the other
systems already in use by the laboratory.
‘CRT IS SLOWLy MOVING TOWARDS
‘The analytical group collaborated with
Symyx to provide clear examples of the
A fuLLy ELECTRONIC SySTEM’ actions that would be required by the
ELN,’ explains Lund. As the notebook was
but allowed the chemist’s synthesis to be of sugar in biological systems. designed for general research, additions to
managed and protected. The system CRT ‘Amphora’s ELN has replaced GlycoMar’s its functionality were required to improve
tory informa
a
is running still requires a ‘wet signature’, but use of bound laboratory notebooks, which applicability for the analytical scientist.
it allows the chemists to input results and were central to all laboratory activities,’ ‘It was important for new requested
structures into Amphora’s database rather explains April Macleod, quality and general functionality to become part of the supported
than keeping a bound notebook. Chemical manager at GlycoMar. ‘The ELN system is Symyx Notebook, and not a custom
abor
l
structures are published onto patent paper, used by all staff in section departments on application that had to be supported by the
which can’t be copied and has the same legal a daily basis. Files are prepared, submitted, company,’ says Lund. ELN functionality is
strength as a bound notebook. checked and retrieved depending on user first prototyped on paper, with functionality
‘The system is searchable and has increased access level.’ and workflows sketched out by hand, and
efficiency in the respect that it’s easier to find Macleod notes that, since implementing then validated with scientists. The software
data. There is always a period shortly after the ELN, the quality of laboratory records has additions are then developed in small agile
implementation where the effort of inputting improved, results are signed off promptly, and stages, with each stage being tested with the
data outweighs the benefit. However, as data is easier to search and retrieve. ‘This has analysts to ensure the additions meet their
soon as there is a good amount of data in the resulted in time saving and a more systematic acceptance criteria.
system, efficiency increases by being able to process of record keeping which is less likely Currently, the project is in pre-deployment
find results quickly,’ explains Watson. to result in missed non-conformances or or ‘sandbox’ stage awaiting the release of
Another consideration when moving duplicated work,’ she says. GlycoMar aims to Symyx Notebook 6.1 in mid December 2008,
towards an electronic way of working expand its ELN system to accommodate new which includes enhancements to specifically
was that the system installed has to be staff as the company grows. support the analytical researcher’s work.
useable by not only the chemists but also GlycoMar is a small company and larger
BELOW: GlycoMar uses Amphora’s ELN in its
the biologists targeting cancer-causing multinational organisations have different
research into inflammatory drug candidates
genes. ‘The chemists and biologists carry needs from an ELN, not least sharing the
based on the glycobiology of marine organisms.
out separate and integrated work and any information with large numbers of staff over
system put in place has to be accessible multiple locations. A major pharmaceutical
and useful to both,’ Watson says. company has been working with ELN
Watson feels that CRT is slowly moving provider Symyx, based in Santa Clara,
towards a fully electronic system. ‘The California, to migrate from paper-based
idea of upgrading the current way of experiment documentation to an electronic
working to a full ELN has been under system. The company’s analytical research
discussion for a while now. So far, it has group documents and processes large amounts
always been dismissed due to expense, but of analytical data through procedures such as
there will come a time when the company high volume HPLC (high performance liquid
will need to move to a full ELN,’ he says. chromatography).
The main objective in implementing The ultimate aim for upgrading from
the PatentSafe system was to protect the bound notebooks to an electronic system
chemist’s IP. There was less of a need was to generate shareable knowledge that
to manage workflows. Watson states: every scientist can use to improve R&D.
‘The company is still growing; managing ‘Driving consistent documentation, data
29
LIG09 pp28-29 ELN Apps.indd 29 9/12/08 17:13:13
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