Thanks to all our readers and subscribers who made 2021 a success for the Connected Lab blog. Experiencing the growth of the blog over the past few years has been inspiring. In 2021, we saw a 42 percent increase in visits to our blog, and a 53 percent increase in pageviews. We sincerely thank you for your interest and engagement. In 2022, we plan to continue delivering content making the digital transformation of the lab meaningful and accessible for scientists and researchers across all industries and fields of study.
In the meantime, here’s a look back at the five most read articles on the Connected Lab blog in 2021.
1. The Role of ADME Toxicology Studies in Drug Discovery Development
A critical piece in drug discovery and development is conducting DMPK (Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics) studies, often referred to as ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination, Toxicity) studies. These studies help to determine the viability of a drug candidate by answering several key questions:
- How much of the drug is absorbed and how quickly? (bioavailability)
- Where is the drug distributed within the body? What is the rate and extent of the distribution?
- How fast is the drug metabolized? What is the mechanism of action? What metabolite is formed and is it active or toxic?
- How is the drug excreted and how quickly?
- Does this drug have a toxic effect to body systems or organs?
2. What is a LIMS?
A laboratory information management system (LIMS) helps improve productivity and efficiency in the laboratory by tracking data associated with samples, experiments, workflows and instruments. A proper LIMS acts as an additional member of your team, automating workflows and tracking all the important sample information, data, workflows, and QA/QC results your lab generates each day. Read on to learn the top workflow benefits of a LIMS.
3. How COVID-19 has Accelerated Digital Transformation and What the Future Looks Like
There is no question that the way we work has fundamentally changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations have had to find ways to quickly implement digital solutions to allow for productive and efficient remote working conditions. According to a new McKinsey Global Survey of executives, companies have accelerated the digitization of their customer and supply-chain interactions and of their internal operations by three to four years. Additionally, the share of digital or digitally enabled products in their portfolios has accelerated by seven years
4. Machine Learning: A Primer to Laboratory Applications
Machine learning (ML) helps researchers across industries find meaning in massive amounts of data. While artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad term that applies to any intelligence displayed by machines or software, ML is a specific subset of AI. Learn more about AI, ML, and deep learning (DL) relate to each other, how informatics systems like Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) provide machine learning algorithms with the high-quality data needed to drive meaningful insight, and how machine learning could impact your lab in the next decade.
5. Lab Automation: Helping Diagnostic Labs Scale to COVID-19 Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed diagnostic laboratories under intense pressure, with teams increasing capacity and rapidly expanding testing menus, while facing staff shortages and the need to maintain safe and socially distanced working environments.
Among the diagnostic laboratories most successful at minimizing disruption and even thriving in these challenging conditions are those that have embraced workflow automation. The flexibility automated solutions offer has allowed forward-thinking laboratories to quickly return to near-full productivity, while operating in accordance with local social distancing requirements. And when restrictions are lifted and staff can return, these laboratories will be ideally placed to use their automated workflows to further extend their capabilities.
Read more about lab automation and how it helps diagnostic labs scale to covid-19 challenges
Visit the Connected Lab blog to learn more about the digital technologies that are shaping the lab of the future.
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