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Big Data and the Data-Intensive Lab

It's interesting to observe how Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) are becoming part of the lab's workflows versus how Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) became an integral part of the way a lab operates.

he August 2012 Technology Networks' LIMS article highlights an interview between Editor Helen Gillespie and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) directors on how HKSTPC uses their SaaS LIMS to break the bounds of traditional laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and offer services on a time-share basis to support a variety of scientific data-centric operations from biotechnology to forensic to contract labs. It's an interesting delivery model that illustrates how businesses are taking advantage of cloud computing solutions.

The major scientific story hitting the headlines today is the findings that genetic tests signalling epigenetic changes could in fact give a strong warning signal prior to the onset of breast cancer.

At what point would you still want to/not want to know your genetically predisposed destiny? What if your genes spell out a fair chance of you developing diabetes or even cancer? Would you live your life differently, change your diet? Would the knowledge of this increased possibility of disease leave you with sleepless nights or would you feel empowered by this chance to come to terms with or even delay the onset?

Although it has been a few years since I actually stepped foot in a lab to perform an actual, real-life experiment I still consider myself a scientist (and always will).

With all the hype surrounding the impending arrival of the first ‘stem cell burger’, stem cell research is once again hitting the headlines, but the focus of the public’s reaction has been more of curiosity than scepticism.