Informatics Group
The Informatics Group enables scientific work at JBEI with systems for data management, analysis and visualization. Using a combination of commercial, open-source and custom software products, we ensure that scientific data is reliably captured, organized, and archived. We have also developed several novel, specialized tools for automated data analysis and interactive visualization.
Development of an integrated system for recording electronic laboratory notes is a signature project for the department. Our system yields several significant benefits:
- powerful searching capabilities
- direct embedding of data and documents into notebook pages
- convenient data sharing and collaboration
- improved communication with supervisors and managers
- legally-defensible electronic timestamps
- assurance that notebooks will not be lost or damaged
- global, 24/7 access to research and data
- live access to historical archives
The Informatics Group provides computer server administration and full-spectrum desktop computing support for all staff members at the ESE campus. Our software developers and systems administrators have worked closely with Operations staff members on developing a comprehensive system and process for managing employee access to JBEI information systems and for tracking the location, utilization, and service history of all accountable assets.
Moving beyond the nuts and bolts of data collection, we are working with senior managers on a project management framework that will provide comprehensive, live metrics, and ad-hoc reporting capabilities regarding the relationships between various notable items: publications, projects, experiments, samples, instrument runs, researchers, etc.
