LIMS to Integrate Data across Marine Research Sites

A Matrix Gemini LIMS has been chosen to monitor workflow across the three operational sites of The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), due to the continuous expansion of Institute’s activities and the increased demand on the laboratories. AIMS has a unique set of laboratories to support various marine research activities, with sites in Townsville, Perth and Darwin. The Townsville headquarters is home to 10 laboratories specialising in advanced analytical chemistry, biomolecular analysis, biology, chromatography and symbionts culture.

Large quantities of samples for laboratory analysis are collected regularly during field trips and the Matrix Gemini LIMS, developed by Autoscribe Informatics, Aldermarston UK, was chosen following a comprehensive selection process which included on-site and online demonstrations, site visits and detailed discussions of the required functional specification.

Dr. Muhsen Aljada, Institute Laboratory Manager at AIMS, said: “A critical requirement of the LIMS is the ability to be integrated with the laboratories across our three operation sites and to manage both incoming and outgoing samples. We have samples submitted internally (within our three operations sites) and samples submitted to us by external clients or collaborators. AIMS also outsources some analysis to external laboratories so we also need to manage these samples and their incoming results.”

“Matrix Gemini fulfills these requirements,” he continued. “In addition, it is easy to use and the configuration tools mean that it will be straightforward to make any changes in the future, without writing specialised programming code, if and when our requirements or workflows evolve. The LIMS went live in July 2017.”

John Boother, President of Autoscribe Informatics commented: “The successful implementation of Matrix Gemini at AIMS reinforces the flexibility and versatility of the system. For multi-site systems Matrix offers the flexibility to be configured to meet the specific work process at each individual site. This means that users are not constrained to a centralised system that might not be set up in the way they would like. In addition, Matrix Gemini’s dual web/Windows user interface means that system access is available from any location that has web connectivity, either on a PC or mobile device such as a tablet.”