Tim Stroud, Titian Software, London, UK
Life sciences research and development can generate an almost endless variety of samples and materials which need to be stored, tracked and managed. Accurate tracking of this inventory may be critical to the value of any experimental results but presents an ever-increasing challenge with the rising throughputs of modern biological research.
The task of sample management is frequently entrusted to a combination of paper, spreadsheets, and home-grown tools. This talk discusses common problems experienced with this approach, based on real use cases. We explore how using dedicated sample management software can provide significant quality and productivity benefits as well as allowing for the easy adoption of technologies such as 2D-barcode rack scanners, liquid handlers and automated storage.