In the competitive world of scientific innovation, Research & Development (R&D) teams are tasked with overseeing the organization’s most complex, time-consuming, and expensive business units. The process of discovery—achieving that “Eureka!” moment upon a scientific breakthrough—requires a mix of art and structure.
R&D experiments are frequently conceptualized through free form thinking and creativity, in combination with systematized scientific protocols. Perhaps the most essential piece in R&D is meticulous documentation of all this experiment data—capturing both the experiment ideation and standard processes necessary to recreate the experiment.
Yet, from Mesopotamia to the modern age, how we document science hasn’t changed all that much:
Comprehensive documentation is the backbone of R&D, from initial planning to final analysis. Despite all the technological advancements we’ve made, lab documentation practices have plateaued. As recently as 2017, the majority—90%—of scientists were reporting that they were still using pen and paper to carry out their work.
This is where an Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) comes in.
What Are Electronic Lab Notebooks?
So, what is an electronic lab notebook (ELN)? At its core, an ELN is a digital version of paper-based lab notebooks. As R&D scientists ideate and plan their experiments, they can capture their ideas, formulas, calculations, observations, and results in an ELN—just as they would in traditional notebooks. However, unlike paper, an ELN offers advanced features that transform documentation into a dynamic, accessible, and collaborative process.
The Role of ELNs in Modern Labs
The transition from paper to electronic documentation reflects the growing need for speed, efficiency, and data integrity in R&D. ELNs help R&D teams take control of their data:
- ELNs can also improve data accuracy with automated data capture, an error reducing alternative to manual notetaking.
- ELNs help keep data secure, improving IP protection and simplifying compliance.
- ELNs enable collaboration by making experiment data sharable within and across teams, enhancing the rate of knowledge production.
Advanced ELN Features and Functions
Here is a list of just some of the features and functions that high caliber electronic lab notebooks offer:
- Centralized and collaborative notebooks and protocols
- Structured data capture and version control
- Interconnected inventory and order management
- Integration with instruments, equipment, and devices
- Modern user experience and intuitive design
How ELNs Can Transform Research & Development
The R&D Data Powerhouse
Electronic Lab Notebooks support one of R&D’s most critical needs: guaranteeing that data is accurate, complete, and compliant with regulatory standards. Why is data completeness and integrity so important in R&D? Because experiments must be reproducible, that’s why! The estimated amount in losses across science and industry due to the failure to replicate or reproduce scientific results is $20 billion annually.
“Results in large R&D organizations cannot be easily reproduced, and that’s because the process of steps that led to those results—to that potential groundbreaking cure for cancer, for example—weren’t captured, weren’t properly recorded, and can’t be shared. And a big part of that falls on Electronic Lab Notebooks.” –Barney Walker, Head of Product, Labstep a STARLIMS Company.
ELNs provide built-in tools to enhance data quality by automating data capture, tracking changes, and maintaining audit trails, as well as simplifying access control and permissions. These functionalities help support consistent method execution, while also serving to protect your valuable Intellectual Property (IP). Read more about how your data quality can maximize R&D potential.
Hypothesize, Experiment, Collaborate
Another key advantage of electronic lab notebooks is their ability to foster collaborative science. To be first to market, R&D teams need to exceed in collaboration, within labs, across labs, and across scientific disciplines. With an ELN, teams no longer need to manually share paper notebooks or hunt down lost records. Instead, researchers can view and edit shared data in real time, enhancing team communication.
An can ELN provides a shared point of communication where research teams can access project information from anywhere and communicate with others without the added need of back-and-forth emails and meetings. According to Jenny Hu, Head of Customer Success, Labstep a STARLIMS Company, says most customers, during their first few months of using an ELN are impressed by how they “can work together simultaneously, as well as easily pass off experiments to others to move forward with. Management and oversight of lab activity becomes easier, as well.”
Research today is increasingly cross-functional and multi-disciplinary, requiring technology that enables cross-discipline R&D teams to collaborate more efficiently and accelerate discovery. ELNs must be equipped with the templates and calculation engines for multidisciplinary science, whether it’s molecular, chemical, biological, or other scientific research. Discover more about how ELNs are driving interdisciplinary science.
Empower Experiment Efficiency Today & Beyond
Finally, electronic lab notebooks drive improved experiment efficiency in R&D labs. ELNs reduce administrative overhead and speed up experimentation by automating repetitive tasks and standardizing data entry. Instead of manually transcribing experiment results, researchers can use ELNs to automatically record and visualize their data, allowing them to focus on what matters most: interpreting results and advancing their innovative projects.
Furthermore, ELNs help R&D labs with efficiency by structuring their data. When you structure data in a digital environment, it can be imported into statistical or machine learning models. From there, the models can find patterns, predict outcomes, and generate insights faster than you would be able to find manually, helping your organization reduce redundant experiments and get to market faster. Watch the webinar to learn more about how an ELN empowers experiment efficiency.
ELNs Are Essential for Modern R&D
So, what are electronic lab notebooks, and why are they essential for modern R&D? ELNs like Labstep are redefining how labs document and manage scientific research, which is just one of the many reasons that STARLIMS pursued Labstep.
ELNs support both creative ideation and rigorous scientific protocols. They also can integrate with other systems, such as Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). The pairing of these systems allows for seamless data sharing from ideation to commercialization, making the entire process from research to quality faster and more reliable.
With their ability to enhance collaboration, support data quality, and boost overall efficiency, ELNs are a vital tool in today’s data-driven research landscape. If your R&D lab is ready to embrace digital transformation, contact STARLIMS to get the support you need to succeed.