When scientists run experiments, they can track some of the more pertinent details, such as sample IDs and the experimental protocols they used. What’s harder to capture in real-time is all the associated metadata — such as how long samples were exposed to room temperature, the lot number of the reagents used, and data on the cell line’s viability. It’s also difficult to track instrument-level information such as the pressure of a liquid handler during pipetting or environmental data like the temperature of the room.
In an ideal laboratory, there would be complete harmonization in the interactions among lab instruments, automation infrastructure, and scientists. In this ecosystem, the physical flow of materials such as samples and consumables, and the software for capturing data during experiments would be well orchestrated and seamless.
In the past, no single solution could do it all. Scientists had to purchase multiple commercial components and cobble them together to create a laboratory automation infrastructure internally. The problem with these solutions is that they are generally static, with little ability to evolve over time as the lab’s needs change. They are also resource-intensive to build, maintain, and update as staff members, operating systems, and databases change or get replaced. Additionally, the connections that are made between these disparate components tend to be rigid. Whenever a new instrument is added to the lab’s infrastructure, the connections between systems have to be redone to accommodate the new component, which is disruptive and can be expensive.
There is a way to connect these disparate laboratory systems, seamlessly capturing data and connecting instruments and automated platforms. Biosero provides automated solutions that can be mixed and matched depending on each lab’s needs. Some solutions support the execution and control of fully automated workstations, while others enable the tracking and capture of data from standalone instruments. Mobile robots allow the transport of samples and consumables between laboratories, even if they reside on different floors.
Our Green Button Go Orchestrator application, for example, provides an end-to-end workflow solution for controlling the lab assay process and capturing experimental data. It then contextualizes and harmonizes it with other data, such as the humidity and temperature in the lab during the experiment, the light sensitivity during the experiment, and how long samples were exposed to a light source. Our system delivers the data to other solutions in the lab, including laboratory information systems, electronic laboratory systems, and asset management systems. We can optimize this process over time so that it works even more efficiently and seamlessly.
Whatever set of applications they choose, scientists can be confident that they have a fully automated workflow that helps them seamlessly run their experiments in a reproducible and trackable manner. If you’re interested in learning more about how Green Button Go software can help streamline your lab processes, please reach out to us today.