The article discusses the challenges faced by heritage science laboratories in managing data effectively due to the exponential growth of data from research outputs and sample analysis. To address these challenges, the proposal suggests implementing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) tailored to the specific needs of heritage science laboratories.
The LIMS aims to streamline workflows, minimise information repetition, and enhance productivity by offering features like drag-and-drop file uploading and intuitive workflow design. Legal considerations, such as data ownership and compliance with regulations like the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, are highlighted to ensure data security and privacy.
Furthermore, the article emphasises the importance of adopting open science practices and complying with the FAIR guiding principles to maximise the value of curated data. A custom web-based solution is presented, focusing on system architecture, security, data storage, file management, and modules for sample tracking and workload assignment.
The implementation of the LIMS is expected to improve researchers’ productivity and enhance laboratory operations by providing a centralised platform for data management and analysis. The article also addresses challenges in managing laboratory equipment and scheduling, emphasising the need for efficient resource allocation and user-friendly interfaces to facilitate equipment reservations and usage.
Overall, the proposed LIMS aims to address the evolving needs of heritage science laboratories by providing a comprehensive data management solution tailored to their specific requirements.
