89. A Workflow-Based LIMS for High-Throughput Sequencing, Genotyping, and Genetic Diagnostic Environments 

Peter Cartwright 
Cimarron Software, Salt Lake City, Utah 
pc@cimsoft.com 

The widespread application of new genetic and DNA-based technologies and techniques to important medical and biological problems has resulted in an explosion of data and information. Advanced information systems are needed to comprehensively collect, analyze, and manage these critically important data. 

This project has developed, marketed, and supported a family of workflow-based software products that addresses the specific challenges and needs of managing genetic and DNA-based information for the gene and drug discovery processes. The Cimarron Workflow System will accelerate the creation, modification, automation, and re-use of laboratory data collection and analysis activities. 

Cimarron has augmented its existing Activity Model and LIMS tool kit with a central, well-defined Workflow Modeling and Management capability. The resulting Workflow Model and augmented tool kit have been used successfully in customer systems within both academic and industry. 

Cimarron has continued to augment the Cimarron Workflow Model and the LIMS tool kit with advanced routing and queue management capabilities, a graphical workflow modeling application by which a domain expert can design a lab system, and other advanced information system capabilities, and will continue to market this tool kit to customers within genome labs and production facilities. This project will result in a commercial tool for building workflow-based laboratory information management systems. A large market exists for such a tool within the domain of high-throughput facilities for sequencing, genotyping, and genetic diagnostics.