Storing and communicating information in the
laboratory – informatics
The term informatics refers to the science of processing data for storage and
communication. Here is what each of these stages involve:
♦ Processing of data is when the data is received and recorded
♦ The storage of data is when the data is classified (organized into
classes)
♦ The communication of data is how the data is transmitted from one
site to another
Informatics methods differ depending on the type of data:
Specifications and procedures
Health and safety regulation – CLEAPSS/COSHH
Laboratory Training
Workflow: Samples, Analysis, Results, Reports
Certification of analysis
Equipment calibration data/maintenance data
Stock requirements
Health and safety: accidents/near accidents, MSDS
Environmental records: waste disposal, production of pollutants
However, what they all have in common is that they all utilize computers as
they are much more reliable, especially when involving large data sets –
such as DNA sequences, population data, health records etc. – which require
being stored as large databases. Even when the amount of data being
recorded is small and may be noted on paper first, it is usually copied onto a
computer to be classified so that it is easier to access and safer. Also, we
need to be able to update the data system to record any new data such as
results. All the specific advantages of storing large databases on computer
systems are:
o Much less space is required: physically storing information involves
files of paperwork but computer files can store the same information in
one computer.
o Computer storage is less hazardous as paperwork poses a fire risk.
o Computer files are more time-efficient: they can be located much more
easily within a computer and in terms of communication, the
information can be transmitted from one computer to another instead
of the paperwork having to travel.
, Although the advantages seem to outweigh the disadvantages, these are the
disadvantages:
o A terabyte of data or more will require more space (the cloud) to be
stored within which typically costs extra.
o You may require additional computing resources (high end GPU
devices) because the database is too large for the RAM.
o No informatics method is 100% trustworthy – data can simply go
missing or corrupt during the process.
o Data cannot always be numerical, it can be textual, graphical, ordinal
etc. Many computer systems cannot input mixed data.
o There is the privacy ethics of human data (health records) – it cannot
be stored within a public domain such as the cloud.
Here are different computer systems for large database storage:
LIMS – Manages lab workflow by keeping track of samples, their
reports, and results; can display data in text and graphs; can produce
relevant analysis of data; notifies members of incoming information;
can monitor stock levels. So, LIMS is specifically used as a reporting
system which allows scientists to store essential information about
samples - the inspection number, the source it was taken from and
when it was analyzed. As the sample progresses through testing, LIMS
produces sections to segregate the new data. LIMS does this by either
providing samples with their own barcode which is recognized as the
sample surpasses another testing user or LIMS can schedule the tests
and the information will be transferred to the system when complete.
The ability that LIMS has to enable workflow automation significantly
reduces human error. However, the disadvantages are its high cost
and difficulty to install.
SAP – Is similar to LIMS in the sense that it also manages workflow and
monitors stock levels. However, it is not specifically for tracking
samples, hence not completely automated. Instead, you can engage
with the system to file a variety of workflow data such as the work
hours of lab staff. Although, people feel it is more complex to operate,
hence not as user friendly.
Excel – It does not have many automated features, but it is a
spreadsheet format which can be programmed to set a template to file
any type of data, carry out calculations and produce SPC charts. Some
advantages are that it is simple to use and install, the access to the
laboratory – informatics
The term informatics refers to the science of processing data for storage and
communication. Here is what each of these stages involve:
♦ Processing of data is when the data is received and recorded
♦ The storage of data is when the data is classified (organized into
classes)
♦ The communication of data is how the data is transmitted from one
site to another
Informatics methods differ depending on the type of data:
Specifications and procedures
Health and safety regulation – CLEAPSS/COSHH
Laboratory Training
Workflow: Samples, Analysis, Results, Reports
Certification of analysis
Equipment calibration data/maintenance data
Stock requirements
Health and safety: accidents/near accidents, MSDS
Environmental records: waste disposal, production of pollutants
However, what they all have in common is that they all utilize computers as
they are much more reliable, especially when involving large data sets –
such as DNA sequences, population data, health records etc. – which require
being stored as large databases. Even when the amount of data being
recorded is small and may be noted on paper first, it is usually copied onto a
computer to be classified so that it is easier to access and safer. Also, we
need to be able to update the data system to record any new data such as
results. All the specific advantages of storing large databases on computer
systems are:
o Much less space is required: physically storing information involves
files of paperwork but computer files can store the same information in
one computer.
o Computer storage is less hazardous as paperwork poses a fire risk.
o Computer files are more time-efficient: they can be located much more
easily within a computer and in terms of communication, the
information can be transmitted from one computer to another instead
of the paperwork having to travel.
, Although the advantages seem to outweigh the disadvantages, these are the
disadvantages:
o A terabyte of data or more will require more space (the cloud) to be
stored within which typically costs extra.
o You may require additional computing resources (high end GPU
devices) because the database is too large for the RAM.
o No informatics method is 100% trustworthy – data can simply go
missing or corrupt during the process.
o Data cannot always be numerical, it can be textual, graphical, ordinal
etc. Many computer systems cannot input mixed data.
o There is the privacy ethics of human data (health records) – it cannot
be stored within a public domain such as the cloud.
Here are different computer systems for large database storage:
LIMS – Manages lab workflow by keeping track of samples, their
reports, and results; can display data in text and graphs; can produce
relevant analysis of data; notifies members of incoming information;
can monitor stock levels. So, LIMS is specifically used as a reporting
system which allows scientists to store essential information about
samples - the inspection number, the source it was taken from and
when it was analyzed. As the sample progresses through testing, LIMS
produces sections to segregate the new data. LIMS does this by either
providing samples with their own barcode which is recognized as the
sample surpasses another testing user or LIMS can schedule the tests
and the information will be transferred to the system when complete.
The ability that LIMS has to enable workflow automation significantly
reduces human error. However, the disadvantages are its high cost
and difficulty to install.
SAP – Is similar to LIMS in the sense that it also manages workflow and
monitors stock levels. However, it is not specifically for tracking
samples, hence not completely automated. Instead, you can engage
with the system to file a variety of workflow data such as the work
hours of lab staff. Although, people feel it is more complex to operate,
hence not as user friendly.
Excel – It does not have many automated features, but it is a
spreadsheet format which can be programmed to set a template to file
any type of data, carry out calculations and produce SPC charts. Some
advantages are that it is simple to use and install, the access to the
