The way labs conduct their research is changing every day — and so are the tools they use to do it. Implementing the best laboratory tools and software is crucial for your lab activity to remain accurate, efficient, and productive.
We’ve compiled a list of key laboratory tools and software, ranging from traditional to modern, that your research could benefit from. These tools will increase efficiency, automate mundane tasks, and effectively manage and store your laboratory data.
1. Microscope
A classic laboratory tool: sometimes the old ones are still the best. Over the years, microscopes have been responsible for scientific breakthroughs — from discovering bacteria in the 17th Century to uncovering the double-helix structure of DNA.
Despite the digital transformation, light and electron microscopes remain a staple in scientific research.
2. Automated Pipetting Systems
Implementing laboratory tools or software that automates time-consuming and mundane tasks is a great way to accelerate research speed, allowing you to do more research with the same resources and time.
For example, automated pipetting systems are incredibly useful for high-throughput labs; they remove the risk of human error, speed up processes, improve efficiency, and free up researcher’s time for tasks that require more human input.
3. Labguru
Digital transformation is revolutionizing modern science, with plenty of different digital solutions entering the market to solve different challenges.
To manage data more efficiently, researchers are implementing laboratory tools such as electronic lab notebooks (ELN) and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) into their operations to remain efficient.
Labguru is a secure, cloud-based ELN, LIMS, Inventory Management System, and more. It offers an all-in-one solution to scientific research labs, providing a centralized hub for your research data.
With Labguru, you can conveniently capture unstructured data from your research, design workflows, manage experiments, and effortlessly collaborate with your research team.
ELNs and LIMS have become crucial laboratory tools for modern researchers, automating numerous processes, reducing human error and, and making it easier to handle complex lab workflows.
4. Research Gate
ResearchGate is the world-leading scientific social media platform that allows users to stay up to date on the latest news and discoveries in their field. If you’re not on it – you’re missing out.
It’s a valuable platform where users can share information, ask fellow researchers questions, and collaborate on research projects, amongst numerous other useful features.
5. Papers
Papers is a lab software that facilitates effective management of scientific literature and streamlines research.
Papers is a reference manager that simplifies time-consuming research tasks. It has a ton of helpful features like its annotation capabilities, a browser extension for swift access to scholarly search engines, and intuitive collaboration functions.
6. Cloud-based Collaboration Programs
Modern scientific research often involves many different collaborators, often from different labs and locations around the world. Video conferencing and virtual file-sharing boomed during the pandemic and they’re still used today.
Incorporating laboratory software such as Zoom, Teams, and Google Drive into your operations facilitates easy collaboration and communication with external researchers.
For smoother implementation of collaborative software, consider opting for a LIMS that integrates other software seamlessly into your operations.
Conclusion
In an age of rapid growth in science and an oversaturated market of solutions, choosing laboratory tools and software can be an overwhelming process.
A combination of tried and tested traditional tools and innovative laboratory software can support the acceleration of scientific research in your lab while keeping your operations efficient and smooth.
Curious about Labguru’s features? Book a demo to learn how our all-in-one solution can improve your lab efficiency.
