Technology:
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== Technology ==
== Technology ==
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'''LIMS (Laboratory information management systems)'''
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In order for biobanking to be done in an accessible and useful fashion, the proper arrangement of tools must be established. There are currently many different software programs developed that allow a biobank technician to create a in depth inventory of all types of samples that are to be stored in a biobank. These systems are capable of storing not only what type of sample is being stored, but also for what purpose or associated investigation, non-descriptive information regarding where the information or sample came from, along with a variety of other categories allowing the user easy access to what is being stored and where it is located. A concise view of all of these specific characteristics allows for future studies on these biological samples to be conducted without hassle and with a readily available set of samples which are perfectly preserved for a variety of molecular testing.
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'''Data Categories'''
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Areas of interest that are usually recorded in a LIMS system include the following:
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''audit management'': fully track and maintain an audit trail
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''barcode handling'': assign one or more data points to a barcode format; read and extract information from a barcode
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''chain of custody'': assign roles and groups that dictate access to specific data records and who is managing them
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''compliance'': follow regulatory standards that affect the laboratory
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''customer relationship management'' : handle the demographic information and communications for associated clients
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''document management'': process and convert data to certain formats; manage how documents are distributed and accessed
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''instrument calibration and maintenance'': schedule important maintenance and calibration of lab instruments and keep detailed records of such activities
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''inventory and equipment management'': measure and record inventories of vital supplies and laboratory equipment
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''manual and electronic data entry'': provide fast and reliable interfaces for data to be entered by a human or electronic component
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''method management'': provide one location for all laboratory process and procedure (P&P) and methodology to be housed and managed as well as connecting each sample handling step with current instructions for performing the operation
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''personnel and workload management'': organize work schedules, workload assignments, employee demographic information, training, and financial information
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''quality assurance and control'': gauge and control sample quality, data entry standards, and workflow
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''reports'': create and schedule reports in a specific format; schedule and distribute reports to designated parties
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''time tracking'': calculate and maintain processing and handling times on chemical reactions, workflows, and more
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''traceability'': show audit trail and/or chain of custody of a sample
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''workflows'': track a sample, a batch of samples, or a "lot" of batches through its lifecycle
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ASTM International has established a Standard guide. This guide covers issues commonly encountered at all stages in the life cycle of Laboratory Information Management Systems from inception to retirement. The sub-sections that follow describe details of scope of this document in specific areas.
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[http://enterprise.astm.org/SUBSCRIPTION/NewValidateSubscription.cgi?E1578-HTML#s00065]
Q. What types of technology are used to store all of this data. How much data is it? What kind of processors/equipment is used to analyze the data? How does it capture the data?
Q. What types of technology are used to store all of this data. How much data is it? What kind of processors/equipment is used to analyze the data? How does it capture the data?