mobile apps for scientists

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Mobile Apps for Scientists

Bioconference Live

October 2011

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Overview

Setting the scene

Apps by discipline and function

A peak at what’s coming

Q&A

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What is a mobile app?

“A software application running on a tablet or smartphone”

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What different kinds of apps are there?

Dedicated mobile appsiOS (Apple)

Android

Windows (coming with Windows 8)

Web apps on mobile devices

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Where to find mobile apps

iTunes AppStore

Android Market and alternatives

Google

Specialized websiteshttp://homepage.mac.com/swain/Macinchem/iPhone/mobile_apps.html

http://www.scimobileapps.com/

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How much do they cost?

0 - $20

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Key variables

Reading Input

Consumption Production

Extended activity

Focussed activity

Education Research

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Tablets versus phones

Production/InputConsumption/Reading

It’s the screensize, stupid!

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Overview

Setting the scene

Apps by discipline and function

A peak at what’s coming

Q&A

©Axiope

Types of apps

Molecular design/manipulation

Interaction with databases

Calculations

Tools

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Molecular design/manipulation

JS Draw

Javascript chemical structure drawing tool

iMolBuilder (3D)

View, edit and draw molecules

iMolDraw (2D)

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Molecular design/manipulation

Mobile molecular datasheet

View, edit and organise chemical structures

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Interaction with databases

Chemspider mobileMobile search client for the ChemSpider online

database

MObile reagentsAccess to 6 million molecules and 11 million

product variations from more than 50 laboratory chemical suppliers

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Interaction with databases

iProteinSurvey TIP database by Sequence, Structure/Model, Site, Protein

Family, and by co-complexed ligand

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Calculations

ChemCalChemistry concentration (molarity, moles per

liter) and dilutions calculator

MolweightCalculation of the molecular weight and other

key properties of peptides and oligonucleotides 

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Tools

Primer JotA molecular biology application for keeping track

of oligos

Florescence SpectraviewerPlot and compare spectra for fluorophores from

Invitrogen

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ToolseCAT electronic notebook/sample

management

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Overview

Setting the scene

Apps by discipline and function

A peak at what’s coming

Q&A

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What’s coming next?

Platforms with more capabilitiesEasier data entry

Higher resolution cameras

Apps supporting complex actions

Cross-platform apps

More apps!

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What does this mean?

PC/Mac activity mobile devices

Consumption production

Mobile devices performing ‘hybrid’ functions

Mobile, app-centric orientation

Example problemCalf embryo biopsy sample workflow

1. Take a sample from a cow, in a barn; no wifi

2. Place sample in container, e.g. test tube

3. Later, put the container in a freezer

4. Track sample, and its aliquots, and document

things that happen to them

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Today’s ‘solution’

1. Unstructured paper notes about sample

2. Reenter sample details in spreadsheet back at the lab

3. Manually enter freezer location details

4. Separately put notes about sample in a paper lab book

5. Keep updating notebook and spreadsheet

6. Later, place the container in a freezer

7. Track sample, and its aliquots, and document things that happen to them©Axiope

Result

Time consuming and messy!

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Tomorrow’s solution: data collection and barcoding app

1. Enter sample data in configurable form on any mobile device

2. Using keyboard, stylus or voice

3. Barcoding support

4. Works online and offline

5. The form syncs with eCAT

6. Back in the lab1. Enter freezer location information and sample activity in the original form

2. Sample data links to experiment record in notebook

2. Track samples, and document things that happen to them, on the form, through mobile devices, pc or mac

3. iOS and Android

4. Tablets and phones©Axiope

Result:Integrated solution

Takes advantage of new mobile platform capabilities

Let’s you work with the devices you want

Automatically syncs between devices

Starts with existing workflow

Saves time by

Simplifying data entry at each step

Integrating unconnected actions into a single process ©Axiope

A solution with broad application

Vetmed, but also . . .

1.Horticulture/plant science

2.Forestry

3.Geology

4.Space

5.Clinical (home sample collection), and . . .

6.Freezers with no wifi!

©Axiope

©Axiope

Overview

Setting the scene

Apps by discipline and function

A peak at what’s coming

Q&A

©Axiope

www.axiope.comrmacneil@axiope.com

http://twitter.com/rory_macneil