Researchers at the IT University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University are busy designing the technologies that biologists will use in their laboratories in the future. The latest addition is an interactive laboratory bench, which will make modern disease research more effective.

During the spring, the research team installed an electronic laboratory bench - the so-called "eLabBench" - in the molecular biology institute / the iNANO Centre at Aarhus University. The pioneering laboratory bench integrates the many digital resources that are part of modern biology with more traditional physical tools such as flasks and test tubes. In this way the eLabBench supports modern biology and optimizes biologists´ work.

- What we have done is to create an interactive laboratory bench. We have replaced an old-fashioned bench with a new one that has built-in multi-touch screen, object tracking, video camera, RFID reader, and a lot of other technology. The overall idea is to research the future of laboratory technology and ensure that modern laboratory experiments that involve digital materials and tools can be integrated with the more traditional and manual part of biological experiments, says Jakob E. Bardram, professor at the IT University and head of the project.

Assistant Professor Ebbe S. Andersen from Molecular Biology and iNANO, Aarhus University adds:

- The amount of digital data and computer-based tools for sequence analysis is growing explosively these years and now plays a crucial role in any type of biological experiments. Yet the design of our labs is just like 100 years ago. It is high time that someone begins to think the digital biology into the laboratory. eLabBench have given us a glimpse into the future, where you can far easier get your work on your computer - in silico - to connect with the practical - in vitro - experiment in the lab, says Ebbe S. Andersen.

Interdisciplinary project
The project is interdisciplinary and involves research branches such as computer science, bioinformatics, and molecular biology. Furthermore, the company CLC Bio participates in the project.

- It's always interesting when different disciplines must work together on a common project, and all have their own unique knowledge to offer. The goal is that we create the best possible research that will set the standard for future laboratory work. And eLabBench is a really good example of the value of this interdisciplinary collaboration, in which CLC Bio has also been an active player, says Jakob E. Bardram.

eLabBench has been developed as part of a 'Mini-grid "project, which is sponsored by the Strategic Research Board. The project started in January 2007 and is scheduled to last five years. The project has also developed a mini-grid that can share digital resources in the workplace, and computer-based tools that utilize these resources to determine previously unknown genetic map of HIV, SARS and influenza viruses.

See photos of eLabBench here: http://itu.dk/pit/media/projects/mini-grid/Fauerby/_AU_9785.jpg

About the IT University
The IT University of Copenhagen has existed since 1999 and is an independent university dedicated to the digital world. There are about 2,000 students and 270 employees. The IT University researches and teaches within a wide spectrum of topics in the field of IT.

About AU
Aarhus University was established in 1928 and is today among Europe's leading research institutions. The main area of science and technology is the university's largest with 4200 employees and 4500 students, the Department of Molecular Biology and iNANO center represents a large part of the research laboratories.

More info and quotes
Professor Jakob Bardram, IT University, 2555 0446, bardram@itu.dk
Assistant Professor Ebbe S. Andersen, Aarhus University, 8942 2679, esa@mb.au.dk
Press Officer Mikkel Svane-Petersen, IT University, 2555 0447, msva@itu.dk