The importance of a laboratory information
management system in a research setting
Absolomon Kihara
ILRI Biorepository Manager
Training workshop on the principles of laboratory management and equipment operations
Holetta Agricultural Research Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
21 June 2013

Introduction
Overview
Data
and Systems
Modules
Ideal Requirements
Modules – “up close and personal”
Systems Integration

Introduction
Overview
Data
and Systems
Modules
Ideal Requirements
Modules – “up close and personal”
Systems Integration

What is a LIMS
A LIMS is an integrated system that is meant to
manage the activities and resources in a
laboratory.
Labcollector
Labcollector is one of MANY systems that tries to
solve the challenges of managing the different
aspects of a laboratory in a research setting.
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction
Overview
Data
and Systems
Modules
Ideal Requirements
Modules – “up close and personal”
Systems Integration
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Data (Information) – why it matters
Huge amounts of data being generated every
day by the different processes and machines
 For a better and holistic understanding of the
science
 Better management of the laboratory resources
 The “currency” of the world
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Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Systems – why they matter
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Vast amounts of data being generated
They can be automated unlike human beings
Can simplify even the most complicated tasks
For better management of the lab
Because we are lazy
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction
Overview
Data
and Systems
Modules
Ideal Requirements
Modules – “up close and personal”
Systems Integration

Examples of modules in a LIMS
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Equipment
Samples
Primers
Animal/Plants
Reagents and Supplies
Documents
Photo
Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction
Overview
Data
and Systems
Modules
Ideal Requirements
Modules – “up close and personal”
Systems Integration

Ideal Requirements
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Open source
Using open source/free frameworks
Easy to interface with other systems
Customizable
Dynamic
Affordable
Looking for the perfect LIMS is like looking for a companion, you may
not find, and probably you wont find the perfect one, you just have to
settle with the one that you can tolerate.
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction
Overview
Data
and Systems
Modules
Ideal Requirements
Modules – “up close and personal”
Systems Integration

Equipment Module
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

../Equipment Module
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Samples Module
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

../Samples Module
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Reagents and Supplies Module
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

../Reagents and Supplies Module
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Primers Module
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Introduction
Overview
Data
and Systems
Modules
Ideal Requirements
Modules – “up close and personal”
Systems Integration

Systems Integration (Why?)
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Lack of a comprehensive system
Different needs by different labs
Automation of routine procedures
Different systems using different databases
but interrogating the same data
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

Systems Integration scenarios
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Data/Information display systems http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/avid_data/trays.php
Skeleton system for specific partners
◦ http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/avid/
◦ http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/ideal/
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Other plug in systems
◦ Barcode generation system:
http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/LabelsPrinter/
◦ Photo management system:
http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/photo_gallery/
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

../other plug in systems
◦ Stabilate system:
 http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/stabilates/
◦ Data import system:
 http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/LimsUploader/
◦ Equipment monitoring system:
 http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org,
http://azizi.ilri.cgiar.org/freezerweb/
Laboratory Management and Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Holetta ARC, 21st June 2013 by Kihara A.

THANKS
Questions???