LABORATORY INFORMATICS GUIDE 2022
of data is hampered when your informatics infrastructure is founded on different point solutions, Petersen noted. ‘It’s a foundational issue that Dotmatics has addressed through the development of its unified platform. We are driving the technology to integrate all the different data types that might populate an experimental ecosystem, and so connect all the dots.’ A major challenge for data-driven R&D is the lack of high-quality data, he continued. ‘While accurate sample, analytical and physical characterisation data may exist, they are generally not helpful when analysing why or how a specific experiment contributed to the overall success of an innovation project. This can only be achieved with a unified platform approach that links data from all disciplines together and contextualises experiments by implementing workflows and roles. This provides data insights that are otherwise impossible and helps our customers to innovate faster.’ What you can achieve using the unified platform is a more holistic data- centric view, across disciplines, so it’s possible to cross-reference disparate data from chemistry, biology, process, physical characterisation, formulation and analytical perspectives. ‘In the synthetic chemistry lab, for example, this could give the scientist a way to map a complete synthetic route, pulling out all the experimental data that would then facilitate data modelling, because you can generate a complete data framework for instructing an algorithm,’ said Petersen. The unified platform also gives labs flexibility in the configuration of workflows, and a free hand to query all experimental data in the context of that workflow, and then visualise analyses in multiple ways. UK firm Interactive Software has
developed its Achiever Medical LIMS as a web-based platform for labs and biobanks. The software solution has been specially designed to aid lab digitalisation and regulatory compliance, from the central point of a LIMS outwards into all areas of lab and business operation. The Achiever Medical LIMS solution offers the flexibility to share and configure data from the labs on-site, as well as external platforms, share data between collaborators and automate samples, explained Interactive Software product director Sharon Williams. Graphical tools make it possible
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to interact with data, and manage and query disease and patient information according to regulatory permissions. ‘When you have multiple types of data, including both patient, sample and disease-related data, some of the key issues and barriers to improving that seamless connectivity through digitalisation centre on having data in formats that can be understood by these different platforms,’ said Williams. Parallel this with the need to retain data value as that information flows through a workflow to analytical endpoints. ‘Disconnect can result in the loss of data context or utility, which then impacts on how you can model from that data,’ Williams said. ‘And while it may not necessarily be possible to standardise or integrate your systems at the outset, finding an approach to linking that data in a meaningful way – through an appropriate LIMS system, or potentially multiple different LIMS systems – is still important.’ Technological challenges to digitalisation are, understandably, key, but management should also be high on the list, Williams suggested. ‘Scientists carrying out everyday processes and procedures will have their standard working practices, and implementation of any new platform may, in the shorter term, cause issues at the level of everyday practice and efficiency.’ This issue can be compounded when labs need to interact with each other, and with possibly different technological set- ups and practices. So, any drive to effect new
approaches to enabling more seamless
digitalisation must involve the end-user, as well as the IT department, decision- makers and purse-string holders, Williams said. ‘Just as there can be a disconnect between software and hardware systems, so there is also often a disconnect between the scientists, managers and IT teams. Making sure everyone is on board and engaged with change is critical.’ Before embarking on new software/
hardware acquisition, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of what you want to achieve, as well as what this will look like with respect to change for the user, data flow and compliance. Despite these caveats, the ability
to digitalise a lab can have important implications for the healthcare sector, as well as for research, manufacturing and quality control settings, Williams added. ‘We recently worked to integrate a university Covid testing lab, to integrate LIMS and other platforms with the qPCR, rack scanners, equipment and a registration portal for their testing kits. This was a great demonstration of the flexibility of our platform and allowed us to [show] how to connect a process from beginning to end. ‘In this case, we achieved automation
from the point of self-registration to scanning received samples, testing and results generation, and then automation of communication out of the system. For example, the system will automatically send emails to individuals who have a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result, and automatically alerts the contact centre to call those who have tested positive.’ l
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