Harnessing AI for Next-Level Quality Assurance

While it can seem like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a fancy tool only applicable in certain industries, AI is closer to you than you might think. From social media to your streaming service, AI processes are assisting with data processing and management in all sorts of innovative ways.

As the modern lab continues to evolve, AI adoption is becoming more commonplace. The increasing demand for accuracy but also shorter turnaround times has laboratories seeking technological and often digital solutions to help them achieve their business and operational goals. Lab analysts needn’t fear, AI isn’t coming for their jobs, but what it can do is support the work of lab staff to boost efficiency and ensure that quality control is optimised.

Quality assurance in labs

The quality assurance processes in labs are all about ensuring that the laboratory’s procedures, data analysis and results are of the highest quality. Without good quality assurance, there is a far higher probability of errors which can affect the results delivered. This can have a direct effect on product research and development, the development of environmental management solutions, and the manufacturing of products.

In testing labs, the integrity of samples is paramount in the quality assurance process. A good quality assurances process will make sure the samples aren’t compromised, which can lead to costly setbacks. Of course, good quality assurance means that the results from the lab can be trusted and they are reproducible. As laboratories seek to build strong relationships between themselves and stakeholders, good quality assurance provides quantitative and qualitative evidence of why the lab can be trusted.

Finally, safety also forms part of lab quality assurance. The process should make sure all the equipment is functioning properly and that proper procedures are documented and followed for handling samples, hazardous materials, and chemicals. By doing this, labs can prevent minor accidents that could lead to bigger safety risks.

Levelling up with AI for QA

AI opens a world of possibilities for the modern laboratory. Because of the big volumes of data and frequent tests and analyses, labs can benefit quite a lot from AI and machine learning. Traditional lab operations often involve repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as data backups, data review, and preliminary analysis. By automating these tasks, AI allows scientists to focus on higher-value activities such as experimental design, interpretation of results, and innovation.

In terms of quality assurance, there are a few key benefits from utilising AI:

Greater speed without greater risk of errors – The speed at which data can be processed and reviewed using AI significantly reduces the overall time required to complete experiments and projects. This acceleration in the workflow is crucial for meeting tight deadlines and maintaining competitive edges in research and development. Furthermore, AI’s ability to quickly analyse vast amounts of data helps in identifying trends and anomalies that might be missed by human reviewers. This enhances the accuracy and consistency of repetitive tasks, ensuring that data is reliable and free from human error.

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Cost management – Automation of tasks is one of the big advantages of AI and this can assist with cost management by potentially reducing overtime or weekend work hours, which aids operational costs. The resources saved from routine tasks can be allocated to more strategic investments and research, and this includes the brain power of key laboratory staff. Laboratories can also expand their capabilities without a proportional increase in manual workload and this assists labs in scaling their operations up without greater cost pressure.

Optimise resources – AI systems can do real-time monitoring of experiments and equipment to provide immediate feedback should a problem arise. It also means staff don’t have to be in the lab watching over the analytical instruments all the time, particularly if it requires hours before there are results and they could monitor the process remotely. This improves safety and resource management. AI can also assist with efficient resource management to reduce waste and lower the overall environmental impact while simultaneously checking instruments for preventative maintenance.

Labs looking to the future finding success now

Chemetrix is proud to be a local supplier of Agilent innovation. Agilent is on the forefront of leveraging software to fuel lab productivity – testing and proving the value of AI in day-to-day operations. This world-leading brand is seeing results from labs that are testing the integration of AI into their operations.

Agilent 5977C GC-MSD

In pilot testing, data review, a task that used to take nearly an hour to complete, was reduced to a few minutes, using AI capabilities. This type of efficiency gain in any lab would boost productivity and allow scientists to focus on more complex and high-value tasks. This type of result underscores the potential of AI to revolutionise lab operations, making them more efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality.

“Quality control labs rely on analytics to ensure product safety. We’re using new, exciting software approaches to enable faster, more efficient, and more accurate results.” – Tom Lillig, VP, GM, Agilent Software Informatics Division

We want scientists and researchers to dedicate the majority of their valuable time to critical thinking and complex problem-solving. So, embrace the power of technology and boost the efficiency of labs by offloading repetitive and mundane tasks to AI. Whether its through software or through instrument monitoring, there are different ways labs and their quality assurance processes can be improved through artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance research, product development, and analysis now and in the future.

The AI Advantage in Revolutionising Lab Quality Control

Imagine a lab where precision meets efficiency, and every operation is optimised to perfection. In the intricate world of laboratory operations, a silent revolution is underway – the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to elevate the standards of quality control. A game-changer that holds the key to unlocking unparalleled advancements in scientific research and experimentation.

 

The crucial role of AI in lab quality control: Today and tomorrow

As laboratories grapple with increasing complexities in research and analysis, the importance of AI technology becomes increasingly apparent. AI is not just a futuristic concept; it is the present and the future of laboratory operations. Today, AI is being harnessed to enhance quality control practices by providing real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated decision-making.

Looking ahead, AI is poised to become the cornerstone of innovation in labs, offering solutions to challenges that were once deemed insurmountable.

 

Benefits of using AI in lab quality control: Precision redefined

Real-Time Monitoring: AI systems can monitor and analyse data in real-time, providing an instantaneous and comprehensive view of lab processes. This facilitates early detection of anomalies and deviations, allowing for immediate corrective actions.

Predictive Analytics: By leveraging historical data, AI can predict potential issues before they occur. This proactive approach enables labs to implement preventive measures, minimising the risk of errors and ensuring consistent quality.

Automation of Routine Tasks: AI excels at automating repetitive and routine tasks, freeing up human resources for more complex and creative endeavours. This not only increases efficiency but also reduces the likelihood of human error in quality control processes.

Enhanced Data Analysis: The power of AI lies in its ability to analyse vast datasets quickly and accurately. This capability is invaluable in quality control, where precise analysis is paramount for ensuring the reliability of results.

 

Future-proofing lab operations with AI

As we embrace the current wave of AI applications in quality control, it’s crucial to consider how these technologies can future-proof lab operations and inspire innovation. Integrating AI-driven technologies like machine learning algorithms, robotic process automation, and advanced analytics positions laboratories at the forefront of scientific advancement. Imagine a future where AI not only optimises existing processes but also catalyses the development of novel methodologies and approaches, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in scientific research.

 

Explore AI for your lab

In the race toward scientific excellence, laboratories cannot afford to overlook the transformative potential of AI in quality control. The possibilities are vast, and the benefits are tangible. To unlock the full spectrum of AI-driven innovations, labs must explore and embrace these technologies actively. The lab of the future is not a distant vision; it is a reality that can be shaped today through the strategic integration of AI in quality control processes.

With more laboratories embarking on the journey toward AI-driven quality control, the call to action is clear – explore the possibilities, discover the potential, and redefine the future of your lab.

 

To take the first step towards integrating AI into your quality control processes, engage with leading experts and solution providers. The evolution of laboratory operations awaits, and AI is the key to unlocking unparalleled advancements in quality control and scientific discovery.

 

AI Technology and the Lab of the Future

In 2022, Agilent announced its acquisition of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by Virtual Control, an AI and machine learning software developer that creates innovative analysis solutions in lab testing. Agilent will integrate the software, known as ACIES, into its industry-leading gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GS/MS) platforms to improve the productivity, efficiency and accuracy of high-throughput labs the company serves around the world.

ACIES automates the labour-intensive task of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry data analysis improving efficiency in the laboratory workflow, from sampling to reporting. Agilent will integrate the technology into its MassHunter software package for LC/MS and GC/MS instruments.

 

Digital labs

This move by Agilent signals that the digital age is very much here for laboratories. Science has always driven the world forward and now it will do the same for laboratories.

The lab of the future is a concept built on the foundation of digitalised labs. It encompasses smart technological workflow systems that are connected and capable of collecting vast amounts of data via integrated automation.

A digitalised lab should be considered a more advanced lab as it has more access to data. With data being key to transforming science, increasing amounts of data generated in any lab, let alone a digitally connected lab, could be a game-changer – but only if it’s collected and synthesised into information and knowledge that is useful.

The digital environment (i.e., paperless work in an electronic format) capitalises on digitalisation. It incorporates all of the necessary instrumentation for complete data analysis and enables the full value of the data for decision-making. The ability to monitor operations and provide more sophisticated insights is a core reason for introducing AI into the operational lab environment.

 

 

Transforming science

Artificial intelligence (AI) is often defined as the ability of a machine to learn how to solve cognitive challenges. However, in the context of scientific methodology and laboratory interconnectivity, AI is starting to be used for capturing data to model human observation and decision-making processes.

Taken forward, connecting all instruments in a lab via AI enables the opportunity for an even more astute understanding of the interactions between technology and also users, potentially providing an all-inclusive view of all laboratory operations.

Accessing this powerful source of information will become a necessary component of scientific productivity. This is an inevitable next step in creating lab management systems that are so efficient and provide knowledge that is so valuable that only AI will be able to produce them.

AI, coupled with universal sensing capabilities to detect and monitor a range of variables, e.g., an instrument’s power draw, enables companies to realise certain operational and financial benefits to their business and plan for the future. Through high-quality and readily available insights, AI enables the simultaneous monitoring of all equipment usage in the lab and holistic capacity tracking.

Watch our webinar on Industrialising High-Throughput Glycoproteomics Using AI for Clinical Use

 

Staying competitive in a competitive world

Globally, scientific innovation is accelerating, so labs need to consider the technology investments required to become digitally enabled in order to keep up and stay competitive. We live in a data-driven world, so scientific laboratories must fundamentally transform how they create, manage, and effectively use all the data that is generated in their lab ecosystem. Achieving and sustaining a competitive edge in a world of constant change will require the continual transformation of lab operations and scientific data management. This will be the first and most important step toward becoming a truly digitalised lab.

 

Standardising honey fingerprinting methods

Although previous work has been done developing case studies for fingerprinting foodstuffs, including honey, the approaches among laboratories have been different regarding sample preparation and instrumental conditions. There are also differences in terms of data processing and analysis. As a result, two laboratories analysing the same sample may obtain slightly different results. Ideally, developing a standardised fingerprinting method that could be used across all LC/MS-based workflows, enabling the same testing technique to be used across multiple laboratories, would be optimal and where future work is aimed.

Read our article on Fingerprinting Honey to Ensure Purity

When addressing the issues of food safety, product quality, and authenticity, each may be governed by separate sets of regulations. For example, looking at the residues of contaminants in honey, such as pesticides, there may be differences globally. Countries may have their restrictions for the maximum limit for specific compounds. Contaminants are a part of the picture when considering fingerprinting for honey, but permitted levels may vary between countries.

Additionally, as samples come from the field to the lab for testing, there is potential interest in reversing this and bringing the lab out into the field instead. This interesting but not yet recognised capability would enable regulators and the global food industry to respond more quickly to honey contamination and food fraud.

Step into the future, elevate your business and talk to our team of experts about how you can improve the productivity, efficiency and accuracy of your lab.

Enhancing Labs With Digitalisation

This article was originally published by Agilent

The topic of optimising laboratory efficiencies is at the forefront of discussions for many lab managers. With the support of new and improved smarter technologies, previous efficiency- and productivity-related challenges are beginning to dissipate as manual processes are starting to be replaced with automated and integrated applications, helping to pave the way towards a fully digitalised lab as part of the internet of things (IoT) movement.

According to the global advisory firm Gartner, a digitalised lab is one that is using digital technologies to change the way they operate their lab, optimise their business model, and ultimately provide new revenue and value-producing opportunities. In a nutshell, it is the process of moving to a digital business.

The results from a survey of pharma lab leaders support this observation. Responses highlighted the urgency to improve and update laboratory processes. Survey takers said that they:

  1. Wanted to achieve quicker results (55%)
  2. Saw a demand for superior quality (44%)
  3. Wanted to improve data integrity (43%)
  4. Found that their current workflow requires optimisation (83%)

Additional survey results showed that only 4% of lab managers are using utilisation data (a tool to understand how all instrumentation in labs is performing) for decision-making. More astonishingly, on average, some lab instruments were only being used 35% of the time.

 

Goodbye Laborious Systems, Hello Smart Technology

To combat some of the key challenges often faced with existing lab workflows, smart technology is increasingly at the core of change. By helping transform ordinary labs into smart technological labs, companies such as Chemetrix can provide better instrumentation and services to their customers without compromising the quality of results, cost-effectiveness, or laboratory space.

The lab of the future is a concept built on the foundation of digitalised labs. It encompasses smart technological workflow systems that are connected and capable of collecting vast amounts of data via integrated automation. At the Lab of the Future 2020 congress in Cambridge, UK, a keynote speaker at the event was quoted as saying “The lab of the future won’t be bound by walls,” suggesting that the digitalisation of labs will enable more fluidity and interconnectivity between assays and other procedures.

 

Transforming Science With Digitally Connected Labs

A digitalised lab should be considered a more advanced lab as it has more access to data. With data being key to transforming science, increasing amounts of data generated in any lab, let alone a digitally connected lab, could be a game-changer – but only if it’s collected and synthesized into information and knowledge that is useful.

The digital environment (i.e., paperless work in an electronic format) capitalizes on digitalisation. It incorporates all of the necessary instrumentation for complete data analysis, and enables the full value of the data for decision making.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is often defined as the ability of a machine to learn how to solve cognitive challenges. However, in the context of scientific methodology and laboratory interconnectivity, AI is starting to be used for capturing data to model human observation and decision-making processes. Taken forward, connecting all instruments in a lab via AI enables the opportunity for an even more astute understanding of the interactions between technology and also users, potentially providing an all-inclusive view of all laboratory operations.

By monitoring and identifying inefficiencies and making recommendations, AI goes beyond data interpretation to the level of suggestive intelligence, which could be used to more effectively manage lab operations, and ultimately accelerate research and discovery.

 

Ai Technology Will Augment Digitalisation Of The Lab

The ability to monitor operations and provide more sophisticated insights is a core reason for introducing AI into the operational lab environment. Accessing this powerful source of information will become a necessary component of scientific productivity. This is an inevitable next step in creating lab management systems that are so efficient and provide knowledge that is so valuable that only AI will be able to produce them.

AI, coupled with universal sensing capabilities to detect and monitor a range of variables, e.g., an instrument’s power draw, enables companies to realize certain operational and financial benefits to their business and plan for the future. Through high-quality and readily available insights, AI enables the simultaneous monitoring of all equipment usage in the lab and holistic capacity tracking.

 

Providing Digitalised Innovations To Address Customers’ Key Challenges

Chemetrix is proud to supply Agilent technologies and platforms that have pushed the boundaries in providing solutions that support the needs of its customers by enhancing the interconnectivity of its instrument products, services, and consumables through:

  • Integrated products and services that advance the digital lab
  • Faster, customer-preferred online interactions that improve the ease of doing business
  • Solutions that increase operational efficiencies

As an example, part of the Agilent CrossLab Group, the Digital Lab Program, is an ecosystem of products designed to complement one another by delivering enhanced digital capabilities to customer end-users, improving their laboratory experience. This initiative has brought certain technologies to life with industry-leading tools in data intelligence to enhance the scientific and economic outcomes of labs worldwide, such as:

  • Asset Monitoring – Agilent CrossLab Asset Monitoring combines advanced IoT sensor technology and data analytics to enable lab-wide visibility. It integrates sensor-based utilisation monitoring with business analytics, allowing you to capture lab-wide instrument utilisation data across all of your workflows, view analytics compiled in dashboards to drive insights for improvements and justify CapEx, OpEx, and productivity decisions using fact-based data.
  • Smart Alerts – Monitoring instrument health and providing email-based alerts, notifying lab operators when to consider replacing key consumables, when to perform preventive maintenance, and when an Agilent instrument stops running anywhere in the lab. Digital lab-wide connectivity lets users remotely monitor all of their Agilent instruments.
  • SLIMS – End-users can effectively track samples as they progress through the laboratory from sample receipt to automated result reporting. SLIMS combines the best of a laboratory information management system (LIMS) with an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) to enable end-to-end solutions and manage the full content and context of your laboratory.
  • OpenLab Software/Cloud Storage – This has become a viable option for virtually every computing workload in the laboratory, from sample management to complex analytics to secure data storage.

 

Staying Competitive In A Competitive World

Globally, scientific innovation is accelerating, so labs need to consider the technology investments required to become digitally enabled in order to keep up and stay competitive. We live in a data-driven world, so scientific laboratories must fundamentally transform how they create, manage, and effectively use all the data that is generated in their lab ecosystem. Achieving and sustaining a competitive edge in a world of constant change will require the continual transformation of lab operations and scientific data management. This will be the first and most important step toward becoming a truly digitalised lab.

 

Industrialising High-Throughput Glycoproteomics Using AI for Clinical Use

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and there is a great movement globally to develop new treatments and advance how cancer is diagnosed. Technology has been a great help, particularly in recent years, and now there’s new innovation that could take our cancer diagnosis and treatment to a new level.

According to an article published by The Guardian, doctors, scientists and researchers have built an artificial intelligence model that can accurately identify cancer in a development they say could speed up diagnosis of the disease and fast-track patients to treatment. This is but one of many new developments that include AI technology in cancer diagnosis as well as treatment.

In this webinar, we learn the predictive powers of artificial intelligence combined with cutting-edge mass spectrometry to discover clinically relevant biomarkers that can only be revealed by high-resolution analysis of the glycoproteome. This presentation is for all who are interested to learn more about the real-world clinical application of glycoproteomics on cancer diagnosis.

 

Speaker

Dr. Low Ley Hian
Director of Development
InterVenn Biosciences

 

Register and watch on demand >