Open AccessThe Protein Information Management System (PiMS): a generic tool for any structural biology research laboratory
Author(s) -
Morris Chris,
Pajon Anne,
Griffiths Susanne L.,
Daniel Ed,
Savitsky Marc,
Lin Bill,
Diprose Jonathan M.,
Wilter da Silva Alan,
Pilicheva Katya,
Troshin Peter,
van Niekerk Johannes,
Isaacs Neil,
Naismith James,
Nave Colin,
Blake Richard,
Wilson Keith S.,
Stuart David I.,
Henrick Kim,
Esnouf Robert M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section d
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1399-0047
DOI - 10.1107/s0907444911007943
Subject(s) - workflow , computer science , oracle , management information systems , information system , schema (genetic algorithms) , java , laboratory automation , software engineering , database , automation , engineering , operating system , information retrieval , electrical engineering , mechanical engineering
The techniques used in protein production and structural biology have been developing rapidly, but techniques for recording the laboratory information produced have not kept pace. One approach is the development of laboratory information‐management systems (LIMS), which typically use a relational database schema to model and store results from a laboratory workflow. The underlying philosophy and implementation of the Protein Information Management System (PiMS), a LIMS development specifically targeted at the flexible and unpredictable workflows of protein‐production research laboratories of all scales, is described. PiMS is a web‐based Java application that uses either Postgres or Oracle as the underlying relational database‐management system. PiMS is available under a free licence to all academic laboratories either for local installation or for use as a managed service.