The EnzymeTracker: an open-source laboratory information management system for sample tracking

Abstract

BackgroundIn many laboratories, researchers store experimental data on their own workstation using spreadsheets. However, this approach poses a number of problems, ranging from sharing issues to inefficient data-mining. Standard spreadsheets are also error-prone, as data do not undergo any validation process. To overcome spreadsheets inherent limitations, a number of proprietary systems have been developed, which laboratories need to pay expensive license fees for. Those costs are usually prohibitive for most laboratories and prevent scientists from benefiting from more sophisticated data management systems.ResultsIn this paper, we propose the EnzymeTracker, a web-based laboratory information management system for sample tracking, as an open-source and flexible alternative that aims at facilitating entry, mining and sharing of experimental biological data. The EnzymeTracker features online spreadsheets and tools for monitoring numerous experiments conducted by several collaborators to identify and characterize samples. It also provides libraries of shared data such as protocols, and administration tools for data access control using OpenID and user/team management. Our system relies on a database management system for efficient data indexing and management and a user-friendly AJAX interface that can be accessed over the Internet. The EnzymeTracker facilitates data entry by dynamically suggesting entries and providing smart data-mining tools to effectively retrieve data. Our system features a number of tools to visualize and annotate experimental data, and export highly customizable reports. It also supports QR matrix barcoding to facilitate sample tracking.ConclusionsThe EnzymeTracker was designed to be easy to use and offers many benefits over spreadsheets, thus presenting the characteristics required to facilitate acceptance by the scientific community. It has been successfully used for 20 months on a daily basis by over 50 scientists. The EnzymeTracker is freely available online at http://cubique.fungalgenomics.ca/enzymedb/index.html under the GNU GPLv3 license.

Perancangan Aplikasi Surat Masuk dan Keluar pada PT. Angkasa Pura 1 Semarang

“…Angkasa Pura 1 (Persero) kantor Cabang Bandar Udara Internasional Ahmad Yani Semarang saat ini masih menggunakan pencatatan dalam buku agenda dan menggunakan Microsoft excel sebagai catatan record transaksi surat. Aplikasi ini memang mudah dipahami oleh pengguna karena memiliki interface yang mudah [5].…”

“…Penggunaan Software Spreadsheet ini efektif untuk pengolah data yang simpel. Hanya saja software ini tidak mampu mengelola dengan baik untuk data yang terus bertambah [5]. Selain itu, software ini tidak efisien untuk mengelola data parsial terutama dalam hal kapasitas penyimpanan dan performance yang dihasilkan.…”

“…Dalam pengembangan sistem digunakan bahasa pemrograman Visual Basic 6.0, MySQL sebagai databasenya dan Crystal Report untuk membuat cetak laporannya. Penggunaan MySQL ini sebagai pengganti software spreadsheet yang memiliki beberapa kekurangan seperti dijelaskan oleh Triplet [5].…”

EMBnet.journal 19 Suppl. B

“…An integrated software tool to handle these tasks helps to troubleshoot problems quickly, to maintain a high quality standard, and to reduce time and costs needed for data production. Commercial and non-commercial tools called LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) are available for this purpose (Melo et al, 2010;Stocker et al, 2009;Triplet and Butler, 2012;Scholtalbers et al, 2013). However, they often come at prohibitive cost and/or lack the flexibility and scalability needed to adjust seamlessly to the frequently changing protocols employed.…”

Efficient Sample Tracking With OpenLabFramework

“…Some generic LIMS target specific laboratory tasks, such as sample management3910, laboratory work-flows and protocols2111213, documentation, management of lab stocks, or clinical studies14. Further solutions exist for molecular genetics and the creation of vector libraries15.…”