An inexpensive and easy-to-implement approach to a Quality Management System for an academic research lab

Abstract

Background: Increasing concerns emerge regarding the limited success in reproducing data and translating research results into applications. This is a major problem for science, society and economy. Driven by industry or scientific networks, several attempts to combat this crisis are initiated. However, only few measures address the applicability and feasibility of implementation of actions into an academic research environment with limited resources. Methods: Here we propose a strategy catalogue aiming for a quality management system suitable for many research labs, on the example of a cell culture focused laboratory. Our proposal is guided by its inexpensiveness and possibility of rapid installation. For this we used eLabFTW, an electronic lab book, as hub for all other components of our Quality Management System (QMS) and digital storage of lab journals. We introduced Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) as well as a managed bio bank for safer long-term storage of bio samples. Next, we set up a lab meeting as feedback mechanism for the QMS. Finally, we implemented an automated pipeline to be used for example for drug screens. Results: With this effort we want to reduce individual differences in work techniques, to further improve the quality of our results. Although, just recently established, we can already observe positive outcomes in quality of experimental results, improvements in sample and data storage, stakeholder engagement and even promotion of new scientific discoveries. Conclusions: We believe that our experiences can help to establish a road map to increase value and output of preclinical research in academic labs with limited budget and personnel.

Different Calculation Strategies Are Congruent in Determining Chemotherapy Resistance of Brain Tumors In Vitro

“…Rather, our question is: “Which computational methods are suitable for identifying promising drug candidates in early stages of substance selection.” We use glioblastoma—a tumor type that is extremely hard to treat and presenting an urgent clinical need—as a model, but the computational methods are generic and applicable to determining substance toxicity on all kinds of cells. Our lab has established a quality control system in order to standardize our data generation and acquisition procedures, aiming to elevate the relevance of our research for clinical application [ 22 ]. To this end, we were inspired by the Guidelines On Target Assessment for Innovative Therapeutics (GOT-IT), which incorporate target-drug concentration range validation [ 28 ].…”

“…The implementation of automated processes in work procedures is a standard dogma in industry and in clinical labs, with the aim of achieving high accuracy, transparency, and effectivity. The development of low-cost lab automation led to a wider distribution of printing or robotic devices for substance testing projects in academic labs with limited resources [ 21 ], increasing the value of preclinical deliverables [ 22 ]. Our project applied a wide collection of 3D in vitro systems of brain cancer and exposed them to a collection of clinically approved drugs using an automation device.…”

A computational guided, functional validation of a novel therapeutic antibody proposes Notch signaling as a clinical relevant and druggable target in glioma

“…All cell models expressed wildtype form of isocytrate dehydrogenase 1. Studies are conducted under measures of our GLP-inspired quality control system 29 .…”

eLabFTW as an Open Science tool to improve the quality and translation of preclinical research

“…The implementation of an ELN was supposed as the first step of a bigger project of increasing the research data quality in our lab, as described in a prior publication. 10 For this, we tested different trials of commercially and freely available ELNs. Our focus was on the usability rather than on the features, as we wanted to make transition to electronic documentation as easy as possible and many features offered by more expensive ELNs are not needed by our group.…”

“…As described in one of our previous publications, 10 the ELN was also supposed to be used for one-on-one project communication in form of interactive weekly progress reports. This approach was ineffective, as it consumed too much time, lead to misunderstandings and was unsuitable for the discussion of some specific problems.…”