The genomics research institute will replace multiple legacy systems with a unified informatics platform to support large-scale workflows.
The Wellcome Sanger Institute has selected the Sapio Informatics Platform as its central LIMS to support a multi-year digital lab project aimed at unifying genomics workflows across the institute.
The Cambridge-based genomics research organization will move from multiple legacy LIMS solutions to a foundation centered on Sapio LIMS to support large-scale genomic research, demand planning, and lab operations, Sapio Sciences announced.
The project is led by the Sanger Institute’s core operations team, which provides cellular and genomic workflows that support the institute’s research and data-generation processes. Currently, the team uses digital tools and technology solutions developed for specific workflow needs, including sample management, storage, planning, and lab execution.
“This patchwork of solutions and technologies has made it harder to coordinate work across teams, plan work from start to finish, and provide visibility of progress to scientists,” according to the announcement.
Addressing Sample and Data Visibility
One of the initial goals is to give core operations and scientific teams a clearer view of work coming into the lab, how that work moves through complex pipelines, required resources at each step, and access to key scientific data generated throughout processing pipelines.
“Giving our scientists clear, reliable answers to ‘Where is my sample and where is my data?’ across complex, multi-team workflows is one of our biggest challenges,” says Simon Moore, chief operating officer at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, in a release. “To plan and deliver their research, our scientists need confidence that sample progress and critical data are always visible and accessible.”
The project will focus on workflows, data, and instruments used across the Cellular Platforms and Genomic Platforms teams and eventually extend across all research teams.
Key Areas of Focus
The initiative targets several areas including establishing Sapio LIMS as the dominant platform in core operations across large-scale workflows and providing full visibility of sample progress across complex workflows with real-time access to scientific and quality control data.
The platform will support configurable workflows spanning experiment preparation, lab execution, and primary analysis while integrating with instruments, including new equipment that the Sanger Institute is often among the first to deploy.
The Sapio Informatics Platform will provide a foundation for AI-native capabilities such as guided workflows and enhanced access to lab data, introduced according to the institute’s principles to keep scientists in control of decisions.
Additional goals include promoting consistent sample lifecycle management, clearer tracking of samples moving through cellular and sequencing operations, and better linkage between samples, process steps, and associated documentation.
“By moving to Sapio LIMS as our core platform, we can improve how we track, manage, and orchestrate work; align resources; and streamline workflows,” says Moore in a release. “Sapio gives our scientists modern, configurable tools that keep pace with the way we do science.”
Simplifying the LIMS Landscape
As workflows move into Sapio LIMS, the Sanger Institute plans to retire some overlapping LIMS and point solutions to reduce complexity for users and support teams while encouraging reuse and extension of existing capabilities instead of adding new point solutions.
The institute also aims to build a better picture of demand across labs so core operations can plan work, schedule runs, and coordinate equipment, people, and materials across complex multi-step workflows.
“Sapio Sciences is honored to work alongside the Wellcome Sanger Institute as they continue shaping the future of genomic science,” says Mike Hampton, chief commercial officer at Sapio Sciences, in a release. “With this project, we will work together to put Sapio LIMS at the center of their lab operations, cut out avoidable friction in day-to-day work, and give teams better visibility of the data, workflows, and resources that drive their science.”
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