Lab Automation

Labguru Lab Automation is an add-on solution to the Labguru Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) that enables research teams to build custom automated workflows for laboratory management and data processing. Designed for modern life science research environments where large volumes of data demand time-consuming capture and processing tasks, it helps scientists save time, reduce human error, and accelerate research and discovery.

The platform supports both no-code and low-code workflow construction, making it accessible to bench scientists while remaining powerful enough for data scientists and bioinformaticians. It bridges the gap between experimental researchers and data analysis specialists by centralising all activities on a single, integrated platform.

How It Works

• Set triggers: Configure workflows to run on a routine schedule or in response to specific user activities within the system.
• Define rules: Establish the exact conditions under which an automation is activated, including branching logic to handle different scenarios.
• Build workflows with no-code: Assemble predefined steps in chronological order using the Workflow Editor without writing any code.
• Add low-code customisation: Incorporate custom code blocks written in Python, Ruby, C#, or R to further tailor automations to specific lab needs.

Data Processing Capabilities

• Automate data analysis by integrating biological, chemical, or statistical calculations directly into workflows.
• Structure data to be machine learning and AI-ready for downstream analysis.
• Extract data from external resources such as laboratory instruments or third-party programs.

Research Lab Management Capabilities

• Automate routine operations including inventory and sample tracking, experiment documentation, equipment management, and shopping list and pricing calculations.
• Automatically generate reports on experimental data or lab management data.
• Receive notifications via email and Slack for selected activities and tasks.

Example Automated Workflows

• Environmental monitoring: Integrates with environmental monitors in greenhouses, clean rooms, or hoods to retrieve and structure data, automatically entering it into new experiments at the relevant date and time.
• Complex calculations (e.g. IC50): Performs automatic data validation and structuring, runs complex calculations, and visualises results using graphs or tables.
• Bulk registration of plasmids and protein translations: Imports large batches of files (such as GenBank files), creates new plasmid entries, auto-fills fields, and searches for user-defined exceptions such as matching antibody heavy and light chain pairs.
• Automated report and quote creation for service labs: Creates experiments and samples based on customer requests, generates reports upon completion, calculates pricing, and sends results to the customer.
• Lab training tracking: Monitors training completed by each lab member, calculates time until the next required training, and sends notifications when training is due.
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA) report creation: Automatically collects information from multiple ELN entries into a predefined CoA report template for lab-produced batches.

Key Benefits

• Personalise workflows to match exact laboratory requirements.
• Save time by eliminating manual repetitive tasks such as calculations, data manipulation, structuring, and transferring.
• Minimise human errors by removing manual data processing steps.
• Maintain data integrity and comply with GxP guidelines by ensuring all processes are documented, monitored, and accurately performed.
• Centralise activities on one platform with native Labguru integration and the ability to connect to other applications via API.

Implementation and Support Options

• DIY automations: Users with basic Python knowledge can learn to use the Workflow Editor independently, supported by a team of scientists with experience across all life science fields.
• Professional services: Labguru offers a professional workflow development service, including creation of foundational workflows that teams can build upon or fully custom workflows developed to specific requirements.

Labguru Lab Automation is deployed as part of the broader Labguru platform, supporting integration with external instruments and third-party applications via API. It is designed to help labs maintain GxP compliance while freeing scientists from repetitive data management work so they can focus on bench work and experimental planning.