opinion 7
The BST decided to invest in a LIMS to centralise
biochemical screening, map laboratory workflows and
dramatically drive efficiency through superior data
management.
A system was required that could coordinate global
requests, create automated workflows and standardise
screening, ultimately delivering analytical excellence and
superior productivity.
The system had to significantly improve the
management of compounds, reagents and the team’s
workflow, all in a single, discreet software solution.
AstraZeneca chose the Thermo Scientific Nautilus LIMS.
Centralisation: the results
Within six months of the LIMS deployment, AstraZeneca’s
BST realized a 180 per cent efficiency gain in its
Fig. 2. Once samples have been cherry-picked they can be laboratory from the centralised screening process with
graphically manipulated – for example moved on plate, moved approximately seven assays per scientist (up from 2.5).
between plates and solubilised. It has been possible to reduce turn around from initial
sample screening request to upload of data, taking into
an unpromising compound. The company needed a account order and delivery times for compounds from the
system to coordinate global requests, create automated company’s central compound store as well as processing
workflows and standardise screening and ultimately, times from 16.5 days down to an average of seven days.
accelerate the process. This improvement gives multiple benefits including
allowing customers to simultaneously test against several
Benefits and challenges
biological targets with minimal compound usage; the
The BST effectively offers a pool of assays spanning all chemists receive their answers faster, thereby accelerating
current projects. Bioscientists and chemists can create research on promising compounds.
their own selectivity panels from any or all of the assays Seamless sharing of information across the team
offered. and department has been achieved, greatly enhancing
This centralised approach to post High Throughput collaboration and competence and ultimately accelerating
Screening (HTS) offers many advantages in terms of the discovery process. AstraZeneca has been able to
efficiency and effectiveness, making smarter use of the configure an interface between Nautilus LIMS and its
team’s members and better use of the data generated. corporate database, so that sample information can be
However, it also means that all data and resulting easily transferred via barcode avoiding duplication of
information must be instantly accessible via a common data-entry and therefore minimising potential errors.
IS interface, posing new challenges with regards to The inherent workflow functionality of the LIMS
information management. provides the testing instructions for each sample resulting
in process harmonisation and centralisation across the
BST.
In addition to tracking samples, the LIMS has been
used to track and manage reagent stocks, thereby
facilitating reagent sharing outside of the team, with the
obvious potential for significant cost savings. Running
several different assays with various components in each,
the company is intent on having the necessary reagents
ready and available so that it will not lose efficiency
gains from centralised screening to poor inventory
management.
Fundamental to improving the effectiveness of
any process is the ability to capture metrics on key
performance indicators.
Using a LIMS to help manage the workflow means that
all information with regards to the process is accessible to
various database reporting tools.
Fig. 2. Once samples have been cherry-picked they can be Generating real-time statistics on the team’s
graphically manipulated – for example moved on plate, moved productivity has allowed AstraZeneca to identify
between plates and solubilised. bottlenecks and remedy them.
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