LAMS™—A laboratory animal management system

Abstract

The LAMStrade mark database stores data on a colony of breeding animals. Forms are hierarchial and show details of internal codes, matings, litters, and offspring. The identifier given to each animal can be subdivided as such. Each form shows an abbreviated list of the related data from the form one level down, and some special fields, when double-clicked, cause the related record to be displayed. The print button allows the user to print the current record and its related records. Other buttons on each form allow the user to amend, delete, find, and add records within certain rules. User-defined lists are created to allow the selection of various characteristics during data entry. The offspring form contains a section where the user can define the label of a comment and/or a text field. This name is then always subsequently available as an option in a list of user-defined labels. Reports are available for tailtipping dates (if applicable) and calculation of genetic ratios. A queryform allows the user to filter the records in the offspring form to the criteria specified, and a display of the actual query submitted is shown. An integrated HELP is available. The LAMStrade mark database is available at http://www.hgu.mrc.ac.uk/Softdata/Lams

Laboratory Animal Management Assistant (LAMA): a LIMS for active research colonies

“…The history of mouse genetics is reflected in the early adoption of software for the management and analysis of mouse colonies (Bishop and Hanna 1968). Over four decades of applied animal colony informatics, researchers have progressively developed more flexible computational frameworks, including the adoption of database systems and the implementation of software using object-oriented programming languages (Boulukos and Pognonec 2001;Ching et al 2006;Hopley and Zimmer 2001;Maier et al 2008;McKie and Webb 1999;Montoliu 2003;Pargent et al 2000;Silver 1993). The broad impact of any specific software system, however, has been negligible.…”

An Open-Source Husbandry Repository

“…Free electronic databases and tracking systems are available but are typically specific to mouse colonies and use software unfamiliar to many users with limited functionality or flexibility. 6 Commercially available options can cost up to $100,000, 7 or require servers with cumbersome setup due to institutional firewalls. 8 In this study we describe our development of a free and flexible zebrafish husbandry repository, using Google Sheets (GSs), Google Forms (GFs), and a smartphone.…”