apkNGS – Software platform for automated logging and data management for NGS analysis

Software Platform for Automated Logging and Data Management for NGS Analysis

BioSistemika, research and development, LLC, is a spin-out of Ljubljana’s National Institute of Biology (NIB). In recent years, we have developed several smart software environments for diagnostic and molecular biology laboratories that specialize in performing various diagnostic, workflow automation, and data management functions. We, therefore, operate in a niche market segment and have an advantage over our wider competition, mainly because of our interdisciplinary team, composed of experts from the information technology field, as well as experts from the fields of molecular biology, biotechnology, and biochemistry.

This combination of knowledge and different points of view makes our products more intuitive to use and allows us to better solve specific issues and problems that arise from our customers that work in the field of molecular biology. In the cross-section of two scientific areas that, at a first glance, seem quite distinct, but are in fact exceptionally complementary, we have managed to identify several different synergies. These synergies could profoundly contribute to, not only the development of medicine and science, but also the information technology, especially in the sense of market’s needs for solutions, specified above. The innovative content of our proposed development project – Software platform for automated logging and data management for NGS analysis – is also based on these synergies.

The subject of the project development will be a new software platform for applicable support of collaborative work with DNA sequencing, where it will be necessary to combine knowledge in the field of information technologies and from the field of genetic research.

The Platform for Applied Collaborative Support for DNA / RNA sequencing will support so-called “next-generation sequencing” or NGS. Below is a more detailed explanation of the DNA sequencing technology, which is extremely fast and efficient, but requires intelligent support for data management, which is usually designed and acquired by several laboratory teams at the same time. The mere logging in the laboratory logbook in this case does not allow for optimization of laboratory processes to the extent that IT can provide. IT can provide full support to all laboratory sequencing with the help of a dedicated platform, while simultaneously obtaining data from all personal resources and intelligent sorting.

Currently, tracking, logging, and data processing from NGS analysis are mostly performed on several different tools and systems, which can lead to disparities, incompatibilities, disorder, non-transparency, and even loss of data. Our platform will enable a centralized, interoperable and automated way of working with data in the NGS analysis processes, which will contribute to a faster, simpler, more regulated, and more transparent workflow with NGS analysis.

The main goal of the development project is the development of the “apkNGS” product – a software platform for automated acquisition and management of scientific data in processes with the following characteristics:

• the possibility to work with data from NGS analysis;
• centralized, automated, and interoperable management of data from NGS analysis;
• open source.

The subject of development will be a new product that will contribute to achieving the objectives of the priority area of ​​the S4 Smart Cities in the community, through innovative integration of industrial design into the company’s and product’s research, development, and innovation processes, and shortening the time from idea to market and strengthening the competitive position of companies involved in the consortium and their positioning in existing and new value chains.