Author: Joe Liscouski

I'm an experienced research chemistry, whose developed a strong background in laboratory systems. My current interests are in lab systems planning and management.

What is Laboratory Systems Engineering?

LSE is intended as a multi-disciplinary field of work encompassing an understanding of:

The relevant science. This is necessary because the LSE would connect with laboratory personnel and their work environment, understand what they are doing, and translate their needs into working systems. This could be a specialization point for an LSE in electronics, life science applications, physical sciences, etc. However, the basic principles of data acquisition, processing, storage, analysis, etc., are common across sciences, so moving from one scientific discipline to another would not be difficult.
Laboratory Informatics includes LIMS, ELN, SDMS, LES, IDS, digital communications connections (serial, parallel, GPIB, etc.), relevant protocols, analog data acquisition, and related processes etc.
Robotics, including electronics and mechanical engineering principles, and the application of commercial systems to lab work.
Information Systems Technologies, including hardware, operating systems, database applications, and communications. LSEs would not be a replacement for or duplication of traditional IT services. They would bridge the gap between IT services roles and applying those technologies to lab work. In many lab applications, the computer is just one piece of a system that is only fully functional if all the components work together. While this is less of a concern when a system (instruments and computers) is purchased and installed by the vendor, it becomes a significant problem when mixed vendor solutions are being used, for example, the connection of an instrument data system to a LIMS, SDMS, or ELN.

Their skill set should include working with teams and the ability to lead them in the successful development, execution, and completion of projects. This would require interpersonal skills to work with people at various management levels.

Part of the LAE’s role is to examine new technologies and see how they can be applied to lab work. Another is to assess the lab’s needs and anticipate technologies that need to be developed.

An earlier version of this skill set was described under “Laboratory Automation Engineering,” drafted in 2005/2006**. In the almost two decades since that article was released, laboratory informatics and information technologies have become more demanding and sophisticated, requiring a change in the field’s name to reflect those points.

It would also be helpful to have a background in General Systems Theory – This field of work will help LSEs and those they work with describe and understand the interactions between the laboratory informatics systems used in laboratory work. Why is that important in this context? Laboratory Informatics is an interconnected set of components that ideally will operate with minimum human intervention. General Systems Theory* will help describe those components and their interactions.

  • “Systems are studied by the general systems theory—an interdisciplinary theory about the nature of complex organizations in nature, society, and science, and is a framework by which one can investigate and/or describe any group of elements that are functioning together to fulfill some objective (whether intended, designed, man-made, or not).”, from: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-381414-2.00004-X.

** “Are You a Laboratory Automation Engineer?”

Directions in Laboratory Systems: One Person’s Perspective

Introduction

The purpose of this work is to provide one person’s perspective on planning for the use of computer systems in the laboratory, and with it a means of developing a direction for the future. Rather than concentrating on “science first, support systems second,” it reverses that order, recommending the construction of a solid support structure before populating the lab with systems and processes that produce knowledge, information, and data (K/I/D).

Intended audience

This material is intended for those working in laboratories of all types. The biggest benefit will come to those working in startup labs since they have a clean slate to work with, as well as those freshly entering into scientific work as it will help them understand the roles of various systems. Those working in existing labs will also benefit by seeing a different perspective than they may be used to, giving them an alternative path for evaluating their current structure and how they might adjust it to improve operations.

However, all labs in a given industry can benefit from this guide since one of its key points is the development of industry-wide guidelines to solving technology management and planning issues, improving personnel development, and more effectively addressing common projects in automation, instrument communications, and vendor relationships (resulting in lower costs and higher success rates). This would also provide a basis for evaluating new technologies (reducing risks to early adopters) and fostering product development with the necessary product requirements in a particular industry.

Link to the on-line article (found on LIMSforum)

Science Students Guide to Laboratory Informatics

In addition to laboratory instruments and equipment, vendors have created software products to assist lab personnel in their work. Some acquire and process data from instruments, some help manage that data, and others manage the lab’s workflow. The bottom line for these systems is to improve productivity, reduce the amount of manual labor and time required, and, at the same time, provide better results. Those benefits are only possible if you understand the software systems, how to use them, and their limitations.

Education is a big part of people’s problems working with laboratory informatics. What are the components, how do they fit together, and how do I use them effectively are just a few of the questions that need to be addressed. That is the point of the following article. I hope it serves you well. If you’d like to discuss it, send a note to “joe.liscouski@gmail.com” or “joe.liscouski@laboratorysystemsengineering.com.”

This guide’s intent is to help the science student and instructors understand the roles that laboratory informatics plays in scientific work and to give them a starting point in learning more about the subject.

Purpose:

  • Bridge the gap between academic science education and the practical needs of industrial laboratory settings.
  • Provide students and instructors with a framework to understand laboratory informatics and its applications in industrial settings.

Main Topics Covered:

  1. Science vs. Lab Operations:
  • Academic labs focus on learning principles and techniques.
  • Industrial labs emphasize producing reliable data under regulatory and operational guidelines.

2. Levels of Knowledge in Laboratory Informatics:

  • Competent User
  • Administrator
  • Support (e.g., Laboratory Systems Engineers, IT Specialists)
  • Developer

3. Informatics Tools and Technologies:

Key Systems– Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
– Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN)
– Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMS)
Other Tools– Laboratory Execution Systems (LES)
– Instrument Data Systems (IDS)
– Robotics for automation
– Data acquisition and control
Data Governance and Integrity:– Frameworks like ALCOA-CCEA ensure data reliability
– Regulatory requirements

Sources for the article:

college guide v8aDownload