Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University

This collaboration started in 2015 when RECETOX needed a central laboratory information management system (LIMS) for data recording of biospecimens obtained for a cohort study focused on pregnancy and childhood – Central European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood: The Next Generation (CELSPAC: TNG).

For this purpose, was released a customized version of an open-source LIMS originally from University of Torino (Laboratory Assistant Suite, LAS). Core of the LAS was adapted to the CELSPAC: TNG laboratory workflow and we put strong emphasis into the overall ergonomics of the system. After deep discussions about laboratory requirements and long time spent in the laboratory to understand the workflow, we designed a new module to respect specific way of work in this laboratory so that the use of the system becomes as little disruptive as possible. For example, we work with short temporary identifier of samples, forms are prefilled with expected typical values, schematic maps of freezer shelves match the reality closely.

Currently, the study is in its pilot phase, and the biorepository information management system fully supports the laboratory workflow from biospecimen receipt through its processing to the distribution out of the system.

This work was supported by the project OP RD&E: CETOCOEN.