School of Scientific Computing & Informatics · Health & lab informatics
Laboratory Informatics: LIMS, ELN & Lab Automation
Modern laboratories run on software as much as on instruments. This course teaches how laboratory information systems, electronic notebooks and automation fit together, and how to keep laboratory data trustworthy.
Course overview
Laboratory Informatics covers the systems that track samples, record experiments and capture instrument data: LIMS and ELN concepts, barcoding, workflows and integration, with the data-integrity principles (ALCOA+) that auditors expect.
The automation half teaches liquid-handling robots programmed in Python, using the open Opentrons protocol API and its simulator, so you can design, test and document automated protocols without access to a robot.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Describe LIMS and ELN functions and how to choose systems
- Design sample-tracking and barcoding workflows
- Apply ALCOA+ data-integrity principles
- Capture and structure instrument data
- Write, simulate and document automated liquid-handling protocols in Python
Skills you will practise
Eligibility and prerequisites
Who can apply
- Students and graduates in any science, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, agriculture, geography or computing programme (B.Sc., B.Tech., B.E., BCA, M.Sc., M.Tech., MCA, PhD)
- Researchers, faculty and working professionals in research, healthcare, biotech, pharma or IT who want to apply computing to science
- Final-year students may apply before their results are declared
Prerequisites
- Laboratory experience helps; no programming required for the first modules
Best suited to
- Laboratory managers, scientists and technicians
- Students interested in lab automation and digital labs
- Bio-IT staff supporting laboratories
Module-wise syllabus
6 modules. Each pairs instructor-led sessions with a hands-on lab on public data.
Topics
- LIMS, ELN and SDMS
- Sample lifecycle
- Selecting systems
Topics
- ALCOA+ principles
- Audit trails and electronic signatures
- Good documentation practice
Topics
- File formats and parsers
- Plate maps and metadata
- Automated capture
Topics
- Labware, pipettes and deck layouts
- The Opentrons protocol API
- Simulation
Topics
- Accuracy and precision checks
- Protocol documentation
- Integrating automation with LIMS
Topics
- Workflow
- Automation
- Data flow
Practical sessions and projects
Capstone project
Digitise a laboratory workflow
Design sample tracking, data capture and an automated pipetting step for a real laboratory workflow, with data-integrity controls.
Assessed on the correctness of the analysis, the quality of the code and the reasoning in the write-up. A pass is required for the certificate.
- The digital laboratory
Map a laboratory’s sample lifecycle and specify requirements for a LIMS.
- Data integrity
Audit an example notebook and record set against ALCOA+.
- Instrument data
Parse plate-reader exports and join them to a plate map automatically.
- Programming liquid handlers
Write and simulate a serial-dilution and plate-normalisation protocol.
- Validating automation
Design a validation plan for an automated protocol and its data flow.
- Project: a digital workflow
Design a digitised laboratory workflow with sample tracking, an automated step and integrity controls.
Software, tools and datasets
Software and tools
All software is free and open source or free for academic use. Recommended computer: 8 GB RAM, 30 GB free disk, Linux, macOS or Windows with WSL2.
Datasets
- Example plate-reader and qPCR exports: Instrument data capture.Course data
Core reading
- WHO (2016). Guidance on good data and record management practices. WHO Technical Report Series 996, Annex 5.
- Opentrons Python Protocol API documentation (docs.opentrons.com).
Duration, format and fees
- Next cohort
- Dates are sent with your admission offer
- Timetable
- Three evening or weekend sessions a week (IST), plus a lab clinic; intensive and weekend-only schedules on request
- Payment
- Secure online payment link with your admission offer (UPI, cards, net banking). Instalments on request for fees above ₹15,000.
- Refunds
- See the refund and cancellation policy.
Instructor
The instructor for each cohort is named in your admission offer and on this page when the cohort is announced. Vedicgen instructors are selected for hands-on research or industry experience in the subject they teach, and every course is reviewed by a second subject expert.
Questions about who teaches a cohort? [email protected]
Certificate
Learners who complete the course and pass its capstone receive a Vedicgen certificate of completion for Laboratory Informatics: LIMS, ELN & Lab Automation, issued by Vivofold, stating the guided hours and skills assessed. Each certificate has a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check.
Apply for Laboratory Informatics: LIMS, ELN & Lab Automation
Apply
Send the form below. It takes about five minutes.
Review
An adviser confirms your fit and format within two working days.
Offer
You receive dates, timetable and a secure payment link.
Onboard
Set-up guide, pre-reading and joining links.
Frequently asked questions
No. Protocols are written and tested in the free Opentrons simulator. Where a cohort has access to a robot, a live run is arranged as an optional demonstration.
In the live cohort, modules are taught in instructor-led sessions with a weekly lab clinic where you work on real public data with help at hand; every session is recorded. The self-paced format uses the same lessons, labs and datasets with mentor review of your capstone. Both formats end with an assessed project reviewed for the code and the science.
A laptop with at least 8 GB of RAM and about 30 GB of free disk space, running Linux, macOS, or Windows with WSL2. Installation instructions are sent before the first session, and lab clinics help with any set-up problems.
Yes. Learners who complete the course and pass its assessment receive a Vedicgen certificate of completion, issued by Vivofold. Every certificate carries a unique ID and a QR code that anyone, including an employer or admissions office, can check on the certificate verification page.
Apply with the form on this page. Live and in-person cohorts run through the year; the dates, timetable and joining details of the next cohort are sent with your admission offer and listed on this page once announced. Self-paced enrolment opens as soon as your application is accepted.
Yes. No course runs longer than four weeks, and the length is customisable: choose the standard schedule, an intensive one- to two-week schedule, weekends only, or a custom timetable. Pick your preference on the application form; colleges and teams can book their own dates.
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