LIMS for diagnostic & research labs involved in molecular, cytology, histology, NGS, NBS, translational medicine & bio-banking
SPECIALTY DIAGNOSTICS WORLD
Modern specialty diagnostic laboratories need an integrated LIMS that can handle molecular diagnostics, cytology, histopathology, NGS, FLOW, biochemistry, genetic cytology (Cyto / FISH)and microbiology related processes in a single system. Advanced detection of mutations, abnormalities in cells, chromosomes, karyotypes, DNA, gene, enzymes studies and biomarkers are very helpful in identification of potential source of disease and better patient care.
FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF AUTOMATING SUCH LABS
Specialty diagnostic labs are a different breed of labs that need a system that can handle multiple workflow processes in a seamless communicative manner. In order to publish a result, samples undergo several preprocessing like aliquoting, isolation, normalization, robotic pipetting, reagent addition including sample preparation and analysis on high throughput devices that are capable of handling different plates& containers. The ultimate goal is to reach to the level of getting the final outcome of a test. Looking at this from a data entry and result publishing perspective it may look very simple which traditional LIMS are quite good at handling. Dynamic workflows with dynamic content capture is one of the key aspects for these types of labs.
PATIENT DEMOGRAPHY
Mostly demographic information comes in as paper based or electronic data exchange can happen between LIMS and external hospital or clinical systems. Middleware system for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) should be available for bi-directional communication of patient demography, orders and results with healthcare systems. Patient demography could also include hereditary information for advanced research studies based on pedigree.
SAMPLE ACCESSIONING / REGISTRATION & BIO BANK STORAGE
Sample accessioning or registration with patient demographics and appropriate routing of source sample for processing and storage is a critical step for any molecular laboratory. More often the DNA/RNA needs to be isolated within specific time frame after the phlebotomy. Routing of samples to appropriate workflow process becomes important when it comes to following the SOPs and throughput of lab. Bio bank storage involves temporary refrigerators, deep freezers and cryo-storage equipment. Bio bank storage should be really flexible in terms of definition of templates for various types ofstorage location and destination containers(plates, tube holders). Movement between the bio bank and the processing area is an important process which goes through request and issue of samples based on priority and the process it needs to undergo.
BATCH MANAGEMENT, SAMPLE PROCESSING& TEST WORKFLOWS
Samples can undergo several processing steps like aliquoting, DNA isolation, extraction, normalization which can be done both manually and using advanced robotics. Processed samples undergo testing and analysis in instruments like sequencer, real-time PCR (RT-PCR),MS-MS, next generation sequencers (NGS) and proteomics.
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