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Laboratory Automation University (sm) & Lab Automation University (sm) are service marks of the Institute for Laboratory Automation
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The Institute for Laboratory Automation, has taken on the work begun by Delphinus, Inc. [Groton Ma]. The scope of the effort in developing the field of Laboratory Automation Engineering will require the support and involvment of a number of groups and that work will be better performed through a non-profit organization than a for-profit company.
The purpose of the Institute is to address long-standing issues that are blocking the development of laboratory automation and the effective use of technologies in lab work. The problems include long implementation times, incompatible products, a lack of understanding about what lab automation is and how to proceed with projects, systems validation, and product choice/evaluation, just to cite a few examples.
Education is at the center of most issues. Those working in the labs are trained in science, and rarely on how the science is done in modern labs using intelligent instruments, data systems, LIMS, ELNs, robotics and so on. Many of those working in the labs and making product selections don’t know how the data systems work or the details of how instrument output is processed to produce results – something people used to know intimately as they looked at strip-charts and manually measured peaks, spectra, DTA curves, etc. Few job descriptions include a familiarity with modern automation equipment and data systems.
Education is needed at three levels:
- The users of systems – they need to know what automation equipment is, how to use it, their limitations, and the data systems they are going to encounter.
- Lab managers need to understand how to manage the technology and impact of technology change on their labs ability to work and meet its goals. In addition they need to understand how to determine project requirements and evaluate implementation proposals.
- Project designers and implementers - often IT professionals and consultants – who have to understand the nature of lab work and how it varies by industry, what the useful technologies are, project management, etc.
Simply understanding the science isn’t enough. We need to understand the tools used to do the science. This will result in better projects, a higher likelihood of success, reduced implementation costs, and better product choices. It will also result in better products as vendors work with people who are better able to articulate their needs and understand what is available.
In addition, the ILA will:
- Develop and refine methodologies for planning lab automation programs – these will be presented through courses (some currently available), conferences, etc.
Lead the development of standard for systems communication and data exchange – the glue the enables the development of integrated systems.
Look at the future of lab work, what technologies are needed, what is available and how to use, and most importantly: how will the nature of work in laboratories change as a result of automation and intelligent systems.
Laboratory Technology Planning, Management & Integration
Automation and computing technologies have become ingrained in laboratory work; without them, the productivity of labs would drop dramatically. Successful laboratory programs depend upon management, as well as implementers.
As laboratories changed from completely manual operations to the inclusion of some forms of automation, to the introduction of electronic instruments / automated systems, to computer-based data systems and robotics connected to communications networks, there has been a corresponding increase in the technical competence required of those designing & implementing systems. The need for improvements in organization efficiency and effectiveness, coupled with the need to meet regulatory requirements, have brought labs into corporate networks; areas from which they had previously been separated (integrating laboratory information with ERP systems for example). Organizational & technology management are areas where management can have a significant impact.
These factors has increased the need for technically sophisticated people that can understand laboratory operations, manage the technology, and work effectively with IT departments to provide the level of automation / computing / information / robotics technology required to support research & development, quality control, and other laboratory-based efforts. Our purpose is to prepare managers, scientists, and engineers to meet this need.
One aspect of our work is the development of new Laboratory Automation Engineering methodology:
Laboratory Automation Engineering occurs on two levels:
- Level 1 - Management:
- The development of policies, practices, and operational/workflow models that guide long-term development, integration, and technology management.
- Level 2 - Design, Development & Implementation:
- The application of engineering principles to the use of instrumentation, computing and information system technologies (informatics), and robotics to address laboratory problems.
The benefits of our work include:
- Lowering the cost of operations
- Providing more effective and efficient operations
- Defining a laboratory automation / computing architecture that meets their current operational and business needs and provides a basis for long term development
- Designing implementation plans that show them how to get from where they are to where they want to be
- Developing a planning document that guides purchases, upgrades, revisions, etc., leading to a seamlessly integrated laboratory architecture and systems
- Protecting / enhancing the value of the labs intellectual property (knowledge, information, and data)
- Making the most effective use of people’s talents, and
- Enabling the lab to work more effectively with other departments and organizations (IT, manufacturing, clients, etc.)
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