Custom Software for the Genomics Industry
When molecular diagnostic labs select a laboratory information management system (LIMS), they typically consider the documented list of features and benefits, as they should. Each LIMS has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to consider these when assessing which system best meets the lab’s unique requirements. However, we’ve seen labs regretfully overlook a number of other factors that can […]
Building custom software in the clinical genomics laboratory space is a complex and challenging proposition. However, most times, it’s the only viable option for labs seeking an efficient end-to-end process. In our experience, clinical genomics labs often follow a familiar path. They begin by purchasing an off-the-shelf (OTS) software product that seems to fit most of their needs. However, as […]
This month, there have been a number of new collaborations among industry stakeholders that promise to have a lasting impact on the future of disease diagnosis and personalized therapeutics. It’s been exciting to see the speed at which COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use and rolled out around the world—evidence of the outstanding progress that’s possible when organizations work […]
Labs that perform sequencing in support of scientific research or clinical trials generally receive their samples in a batch of tens or hundreds of samples accompanied by a sample manifest. The manifest, usually a CSV or Excel file, provides the lab with the sample metadata required to successfully process samples and report results. What makes this a challenge is that […]
This month, we thought it would be fun to pull back the curtain and give you a chance to learn a little more about Semaphore Solutions and the members of our team—how we got started as a company and what’s important to us as individuals. At the start Eleven years ago, a group of enterprise software professionals saw an opportunity […]
Many clinical laboratories rapidly scaled testing capacity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But scaling throughput, whether for COVID-19 testing specifically or to grow the lab business in general, is not a simple process. Even the smallest inefficiencies can add up at scale, so labs need to do everything in their power to make their processes as efficient as possible. […]
From understanding the genetic basis of epilepsy to identifying the underlying causes of infections, researchers are discovering new applications of genome sequencing that promise to speed up diagnosis and help healthcare providers determine the right treatments for their patients sooner. The sector also continues to focus efforts on increasing COVID-19 testing capacity and improving cancer screening. Genome sequencing In late […]
Semaphore recommends all NGS clinical diagnostic labs adopt comprehensive software testing to reduce errors, improve efficiency, and save money. The right approach and the right amount of testing ensure the lab’s software systems operate correctly and can be easily maintained in the future. Whether your lab is implementing an entirely new software solution, integrating two or more systems, or upgrading […]
In our previous post, we discussed three types of lab software integrations and the value of each for NGS clinical diagnostic laboratories. In this post, we’ll look at some of the key technical challenges labs face with each type of integration and how the right integrator can help you address them. Once lab and technical leads have recognized the importance […]
All NGS clinical diagnostic laboratories want to run more efficiently—it’s a necessity if they want to remain competitive. They need to streamline laboratory workflows, save on labor costs, and scale their operations to meet demand, such as with the current calls for additional COVID-19 testing capacity. But it goes further than that. To keep their highly skilled employees engaged and […]