Systems and methods for generating automated software workflows for biological testing

Abstract

The workflow application integrates with a research software application associated with a laboratory instrument to provide a user with step-by-step instructions on how to follow the workflow steps of a laboratory experiment. The instructions are dynamically tailored, according to the nature of the workflow, the samples being experimented upon and/or the operating states of the instrument and/or the research software application. The workflow application significantly reduces the learning curve to operate sophisticated laboratory instruments. In a genetic testing instrument the workflow application can prescribe the need for control samples and can optimize the layout of samples within the instrument's sample receiving plate or fixture.

1 . A computer-implemented workflow application comprising:
 an interface for coupling to a research software application associated with a research instrument;   a predefined set of instructional materials, wherein the predefined set of instructional materials is operable for being presented to a user according to a predefined research workflow to assist the user in carrying out steps associated with said predefined research workflow;   a manager system configured to dynamically tailor the predefined set of instructional materials based on at least one of the workflows being performed, a state of the research software application, and a state of the research instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 1 , wherein said manager system is further configured to provide control instructions to said research instrument. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 1 , wherein said manager system is further configured to receive and interpret experiment results from said research instrument. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 1 , wherein said manager system is further configured to receive and interpret experiment results from said research instrument by receiving information from said research software application. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 1 , wherein said manager system is further configured to set parameters within said research software application. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 1 , wherein said manager system includes a pipette manager for optimizing the physical layout of a laboratory experiment by providing tailored instructions to the user regarding said physical layout. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 7 , wherein said research instrument is a genetic testing instrument employing a multi-well plate to receive samples and the pipette manager is configured to optimize the placement of samples within said multi-well plate. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 1 , wherein said manager system includes a setup manager configured to automatically determine the requirements for control samples to be included in a laboratory experiment and provides tailored instructions to the user regarding inclusion of such control samples within said experiment. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented method of conducting a laboratory experiment comprising:
 determining the nature of an experimental workflow, by interacting with the user of a research instrument having an associated research software application;   automatically generating a set of instructional materials to assist the user in carrying out steps associated with said experimental workflow; and   dynamically tailoring the predefined set of instructional materials based on at least one of the workflows being performed, a state of the research software application and a state of the research instrument.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10  further comprising using a workflow application to generate said set of instructional materials and additionally using said workflow application to control said research instrument. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10  further comprising using said workflow application to control said research instrument by communicating information to said research software application. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10  further comprising using said workflow application to receive experimental results from said research instrument and display information indicative of said experimental results to the user of said workflow application. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10  wherein said research instrument is a genetic testing instrument employing a multi-well plate to receive samples and wherein said method further comprises optimizing the placement of samples within said plate by providing tailored instructions to the user on where to place the samples. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14  wherein said optimizing step is performed based on a predefined set of rules. 
     
     
         16 . A, computer-readable medium, executable by a processor, encoded at least with the instructions for:
 determining the nature of an experimental workflow, by interacting with the user of a research instrument having an associated research software application;   automatically generating a set of instructional materials to assist the user in carrying out steps associated with said experimental workflow; and   dynamically tailoring the predefined set of instructional materials based on at least one of the workflows being performed, a state of the research software application and a state of the research instrument.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable material of  claim 16  further comprising a workflow application comprising an interface adapted to couple to a research software application associated with a research instrument, a predefined set of instructional materials, and a manager system. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 17  wherein the manager system is further configured to process results obtained from a research instrument and display information indicative of said experimental results to the user. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16  further encoded with instructions to optimize the physical layout of a laboratory experiment by providing tailored instructions to the user regarding said physical layout. 
     
     
         21 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein said research instrument is a genetic testing instrument employing a multi-well plate to receive samples and wherein said computer-readable medium is further encoded with instructions for optimizing the placement of samples within said plate by providing tailored instructions to the user on where to place the samples. 
     
     
         22 . The computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein said manager system automatically determines the requirements for control samples to be included in a laboratory experiment and provides tailored instructions to the user regarding inclusion of such control samples within said experiment. 
     
     
         23 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 7 , wherein said pipette manager comprises computational components to calculate volumes of reagents. 
     
     
         24 . The computer-implemented workflow application of  claim 23 , wherein the computational components further allow user to specify percent overage value of 0-10%.