LabKey's Biologics LIMS is designed to help teams efficiently manage Laboratory workflows and data for large molecule research and development.

This topic details changes and enhancements in each release as a guide to help users track changes. Application-specific changes are listed by monthly version, along with a link to the general release notes for each major LabKey Server release.

Release 23.3, March 2023

• Samples can now have expiration dates, making it possible to track expiring inventories. docs
• ELN Improvements:
• The panel of details and table of contents for the ELN is now collapsible.
• Easily copy links to attachments.
• Ability to delete projects from within the application.
• User profile details will be shown when a username is clicked from grids.
• Administrators can see the which version of Biologics LIMS they are running.

Potential Backwards Compatibility Issue: In 23.3, we added the materialExpDate field to support expiration dates for all samples. If you happen to have a custom field by that name, you should rename it prior to upgrading to avoid loss of data in that field.

• Note that the built in "expirationDate" field on Raw Materials and Batches will be renamed "MaterialExpDate". This change will be transparent to users as the new fields will still be labelled "Expiration Date".

Release 23.2, February 2023

• Clearly capture why any data is deleted with user comments upon deletion. (docs | docs | docs)
• Data update (or merge) via file has moved to the "Edit" menu of a grid. Importing from file on the "Add" menu is only for adding new data rows. (docs)
• Use grid customization after finding samples by ID or barcode, making it easier to use samples of interest. (docs)
• Electronic Lab Notebooks now include a full review and signing event history in the exported PDF, with a consistent footer and entries beginning on the second page of the PDF. (docs)
• Projects in Biologics are more usable and flexible.
• Data structures like Sample Types, Registry Source Types, Assay Designs, and Storage Systems must always be created in the top level home project. (docs)
• Protein Sequences can be reclassified and reannotated in cases where the original classification was incorrect or the system has evolved. (docs)
• Lookup views allow you to customize what users will see when selecting a value for a lookup field. (docs)
• Users of the Enterprise Edition may want to use this feature to enhance details shown to users in the "Raw Materials Used" dropdown for creating media batches. (docs)

Release 23.1, January 2023

• Storage management has been generalized to clearly support non-freezer types of sample storage. (docs)
• Samples will be added to storage in the order they appear in the selection grid. (docs)
• Curate multiple BarTender label templates, so that users can easily select the appropriate format when printing. (docs)
• Electronic Lab Notebook enhancements:
• To submit a notebook for review, or to approve a notebook, the user must provide an email and password during the first signing event to verify their identity. (docs | docs)
• Set the font-size and other editing updates. (docs)
• Sort Notebooks by "Last Modified". (docs)
• References to assay batches can be included in ELNs. (docs)
• Find all ELNs created from a given template. (docs)
• An updated main menu making it easier to access resources across Projects. (docs)
• Heatmap and card views of the bioregistry, sample types, and assays have been removed.
• The term "Registry Source Types" is now used for categories of entity in the Bioregistry. (docs)

Release 22.12, December 2022

• Buttons for creating and managing entities, samples, and assays are more consistently named.
• Improved interface for assay design and data import. (docs | docs)
• Navigate from assay results to the sample finder for those samples. (docs)

Release 22.11, November 2022

• Add samples to multiple freezer storage locations in a single step. (docs)
• Improvements in the Storage Dashboard to show all samples in storage and recent batches added by date. (docs)
• View all assay results for samples in a tabbed grid displaying multiple sample types. (docs)
• ELN improvements to make editing and printing easier with a table of contents highlighting all notebook entries and fixed width entry layout, plus new formatting symbols and undo/redo options. (docs)
• ELN Templates can have multiple authors and cannot be archived when in use for an active notebook. (docs)
• Notebook review can be assigned to a user group, supporting team workload balancing. (docs)
• New role available: Workflow Editor, granting the ability to create and edit sample picklists and workflow jobs and tasks. (docs)
• Improvements in the interface for managing projects. (docs)
• New documentation:
• How to add an AnnotationType, such as for recording Protease Cleavage Site. (docs)
• The process of assigning chain and structure formats. (docs)

Release 22.10, October 2022

• Use sample ancestors in naming patterns, making it possible to create common name stems based on the history of a sample. (docs)
• Additional entry points to Sample Finder. Select a registry entity or parent and open all related samples in the Sample Finder. (docs | docs)
• Video Tutorial: Sample Finder: Reporting
• Consistency improvements in the audit log and storage experience. (docs)
• New role available: Editor without Delete. Users with this role can read, insert, and update information but cannot delete it. (docs)
• Use assay results as a filter in the sample finder helping you find samples based on characteristics like cell viability. (docs)
• Group management allowing permissions to be managed at the group level instead of always individually. (docs)
• Assay run properties can be edited in bulk. (docs)
• Data grids may be partially populated when submitting assay data; previously if the first row was null, other values would be ignored. (docs)
• Electronic Lab Notebooks from any project can be submitted from the top-level project. (docs)
• Tables in Notebooks will be fully rendered in PDF printouts. (docs)
• Improved interface for creating and managing Projects in Biologics. (docs)

Release 22.9, September 2022

• Searchable, filterable, standardized user-defined fields on workflow enable teams to create structured requests for work, define important billing codes for projects and eliminate the need for untracked email communication. (docs)
• Storage grids and sample search results now show multiple tabs for different sample types. With this improvement, you can better understand and work with samples from anywhere in the application. (docs | docs | docs)
• The leftmost column of data grids, typically the Entity ID, is always shown as you examine wide datasets, making it easy to remember which row you were looking at. (docs)
• Send sample information directly to BarTender for easier printing and managing of sample labels. (docs)
• By prohibiting deletion of entities, media, samples, assay runs, etc. when they are referenced in an ELN, LabKey Biologics helps you further protect the integrity of your data. (docs | docs)
• Easily capture Amendments to signed Notebooks when a discrepancy is detected to ensure the highest quality entries and data capture, tracking the events for integrity. (docs)
• When exploring a Registry Entity, Sample, or Media of interest, you can easily find and review any associated Notebooks from a panel on the Overview tab. (docs | docs | docs)
• Before you had to dig through the audit tables to piece together the event history of a sample but now each sample's history can be easily viewed in an understandable way on the Timeline. (docs)
• Aliquoting of media batches and raw materials is now supported, allowing you to determine their final storage quantities and register them as such. (docs | docs)

Release 22.8, August 2022

• Aliquots can have fields that are not inherited from the parent sample. Administrators can control which parent sample fields are inherited and which can be set independently for the sample and aliquot. (docs)
• Drag within editable grids to quickly populate fields with matching strings or incrementing integers. (docs)
• When exporting a multi-tabbed grid to Excel, see the count and which view will be used for each tab. (docs)
• Use the Sample Finder to find based on any ancestor entity from the Bioregistry. The lineage backbone tracks existing entity relationships relevant to samples. (docs)
• Search for data across projects in Biologics. (docs)

Release 22.7, July 2022

• Make manifest creation and reporting easier by exporting sample types across tabs into a multi tabbed spreadsheet. (docs)
• Export data from an 'edit in grid' panel, particularly useful in assay data imports for partially populating a data 'template'. (docs | docs)
• Biologics subfolders are now called 'Projects'; the ability to categorize notebooks now uses the term 'tags' instead of 'projects'. (docs | docs)
• Newly surfaced Picklists allow individuals and teams to create sharable sample lists for easy shipping manifest creation and capturing a daily work list of samples. (docs)
• Updated main dashboard, providing quick access to notebooks and associated tasks. (docs)
• Custom properties in notebooks are now an 'experimental feature'. You must enable them if you wish to continue using them. (docs)
• All users can now create their own named custom view of grids for optimal viewing of the data they care about. Administrators can customize the default view for everyone. (docs)
• Create a custom view of your data by rearranging, hiding or showing columns, adding filters or sorting data.
• With saved custom views, you can view your data in multiple ways depending on what’s useful to you or needed for standardized, exportable reports and downstream analysis.
• Customized views of the audit log can be added to give additional insight.
• Samples can now be renamed in the case of a mistake; all changes are recorded in the audit log and sample ID uniqueness is still required. (docs)
• The column header row is 'pinned' so that it remains visible as you scroll through your data. (docs)
• Deleting samples from the system entirely when necessary is now available from more places in the application, including Picklists. (docs)

Release 22.6, June 2022

• New Compound Bioregistry type supports Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System (SMILES) strings, their associated 2D structures, and calculated physical properties. (docs)
• Export a signed and human-readable ELN snapshot, reliably recording your work. (docs)
• Update existing bioregistry entries with merge option on data class file import, edit data classes including lineage, in a grid or in bulk. (docs)
• Define and edit Bioregistry entity lineage. (docs)
• Support for commas in Sample and Bioregistry (Data Class) entity names. (docs)
• Images added to ELN notebooks will be automatically stored as attachments, for increased efficiency. (docs)
• ELN entries can include checkboxes for tracking tasks. (docs)
• Bioregistry entities include a "Common Name" field. (docs)

Release 22.5, May 2022

• Updated grid menus: Sample and registry grids now help you work smarter (not harder) by highlighting actions you can perform and grouping them to make them easier to discover and use. (docs | docs | docs)
• Revamped grid filtering and enhanced column header options for more intuitive sorting, searching and filtering. (docs)
• Sort and filter based on 'lineage metadata', bringing ancestor information (Source and Parent details) into sample grids. (docs)
• Rename Data Classes and Sample Types to support flexibility as your needs evolve. Names/SampleIDs of existing samples and bioregistry entities will not be changed. (docs | docs)
• Update Data Class members (i.e. Registry entities) via file import. (docs)
• Descriptions for workflow tasks and jobs can be multi-line when you use Shift-Enter to add a newline. (docs)

Release 22.4, April 2022

• Download templates from more places, making file imports easier. (docs)
• Share freezers across multiple Biologics subfolders. (docs)
• Manage user accounts and permissions assignments within the Biologics application. (docs)
• Full text search will find results across Bioregistry entities, samples, notebooks, and more. (docs)

Release 22.3, March 2022

• Notebook Entry Locking and Protection: Users are notified if someone else is already editing a notebook entry and prevented from accidentally overwriting their work. (docs)
• Copy and paste from Google Sheets or Excel to add a table to a notebook. (docs)
• Redesigned main dashboard featuring storage information. (docs)
• Updated freezer overview panel and dashboards present storage summary details. (docs)
• Available freezer capacity is shown when navigating freezer hierarchies to store, move, and manage samples. (docs | docs)
• Storage labels and descriptions give users more ways to identify their samples and storage units. (docs)
• Mixture import improvement: choose between replacing or appending ingredients added in bulk. (docs)

Release 22.2, February 2022

• Find notebooks easily based on a variety of filtering criteria. See your own ELN task status(es) at a glance. (docs)
• Users will see progress feedback for background imports being processed asynchronously. (docs)
• New Storage Editor and Storage Designer roles, allowing admins to assign different users the ability to manage freezer storage and manage sample and assay definitions. (docs)
• Note that users with the "Administrator" and "Editor" role no longer have the ability to edit storage information unless they are granted these new storage roles.
• Sample Type Insights panel summarizes storage, status, etc. for all samples of a type. (docs)
• Sample Status options are shown in a hover legend for easy reference. (docs)
• When a sample is marked as "Consumed", the user will be prompted to also change it's storage status to "Discarded" (and vice versa). (docs | docs)
• User-defined barcodes in integer fields can also be included in sample definitions and search-by-barcode results. (docs)
• Search menu includes quick links to search by barcode or sample ID. (docs)

Release 22.1, January 2022

• ELN improvements:
• Tables pasted into an ELN will be reformatted to fit the page width. Users can adjust the display before exporting or finalizing the notebook. (docs)
• Printing to PDF includes formatting settings including portrait/landscape and fit-to-page. (docs)
• Comments on Notebooks will send email notifications to collaborators with more detail. (docs)
• A new Text Choice data type lets admins define a set of expected text values for a field. (docs)
• Naming patterns will be validated during sample type definition. (docs)
• User-defined barcodes can be included in Sample Type definitions as text fields and are scanned when searching samples by barcode. (docs | docs)
• Editable grids include visual indication when a field offers dropdown choices. (docs)
• Add freezer storage units in bulk (docs)
• If any entities are named using only digits as names, these could create ambiguities if overlapped with the "rowIDs" of other entities, producing unintended results or lineages. With this release, such ambiguities will be resolved by assuming a name has been provided. (docs)

Release 21.12, December 2021

• Freezer Management for Biologics: Create a virtual match of your physical storage system, and then track sample locations, availability, freezer capacities, and more. (docs)
• Learn more in the Sample Manager documentation here: Freezer Management
• Samples can be gathered on user-curated picklists to assist in many bulk actions. (docs)
• Workflow job sample lists, and other grid views containing samples of different types, offer tabs for viewing all the samples of each individual type as well as a consolidated tab showing all samples. (docs)
• When a workflow job includes samples, tasks that import assay data will auto-populate the assigned samples. (docs)
• Additional formatting options available for electronic lab notebooks, including special characters. (docs)

Release 21.11, November 2021

• Archive an assay design so that new data is disallowed, but historic data can be viewed. (docs)
• Manage sample statuses like available, consumed, and locked. (docs)
• Incorporate lineage lookups into sample naming patterns. (docs)
• Apply a container specific prefix to all bioregistry entity and sample naming patterns. (docs)
• Prevent users from creating their own IDs/Names in order to maintain consistency using defined naming patterns. (docs)
• Release Notes 21.11 (November 2021)

Release 21.10, October 2021

• Customize the definitions of data classes (both bioregistry and media types) within the application. (docs)
• Sample detail pages include information about aliquots and jobs. (docs)
• Customize the naming pattern used when creating aliquots. (docs)
• Comments on workflow job tasks can be formatted in markdown and multithreaded. (docs)
• Redesigned job tasks page (docs)

Release 21.9, September 2021

• Edit lineage of selected samples in bulk (docs)
• Customize the names of entities in the bioregistry (docs)
• Redesigned job overview page (docs)
• Lineage graphs changed to show up to 5 generations instead of 3 (docs)

Release 21.8, August 2021

• Aliquot views available at the parent sample level. See aggregate volume and count of aliquots and sub-aliquots. (docs)
• Find samples using barcodes or sample IDs (docs)
• Import aliases for sample parents are shown in the Sample Type and included in downloaded templates. (docs)
• Improved options for managing workflow and templates (docs)

Release 21.7, July 2021

• Electronic Lab Notebooks are available as an integrated part of the Biologics application. (docs)
• Data-connected ELN connects your analysis directly to the supporting work
• Collaboratively author, review, and discuss notebook entries and data
• Add context and clarity to your work, accelerating the review and publication process.
• Removal of the previous "Experiment" mechanism. Use workflow jobs instead.
• A new Job Builder interface makes creating workflow jobs easier. (docs)
• Release Notes 21.7 (July 2021)

Release 21.6, June 2021

• Create and manage Aliquots of samples (docs)
• Parent details are included on the Overview tab for samples (docs)

Release 21.5, May 2021

• Nucleotide and Protein Sequence values can be hidden from users who have access to read other data in the system. (docs)
• Sample Types and Data Classes can include:
• Marking of fields at different levels of PHI. (docs)
• Fields to reference files and attachments. Learn more in the Sample Manager documentation here. (docs)

Release 21.4, April 2021

• Generate barcodes for Samples with "UniqueID" field type (docs)
• Options to create samples from more places in the application (docs)
• Create pooled samples and/or derive new samples from one or more parents (docs)
• Integrated workflow with job templates and personalized queues of tasks (docs)
• Specialty Assays can now be defined and integrated, in addition to Standard Assays (docs)
• Creation of Raw Materials in the application uses a consistent interface with other sample type creation (docs)
• When inferring fields to define data structures, the "reserved" fields will not be shown, but are always created (docs)
• When importing data, any unrecognized fields will be ignored; in some cases a banner will be shown (docs)

Release 21.3, March 2021

• User experience improvements include:
• A new home page, which highlights samples and recently added assay data. (docs)
• A new navigation menu, conveniently available throughout the application. (docs)
• Sample Types and Assay Designs can now be created and managed with a Biologics-based user interface. (docs | docs)
• In-app Notifications are provided when background imports are completed. (docs)
• Release Notes 21.3 (March 2021)

Release 20.11, November 2020

• Sample Management - Improved user experience for defining and importing samples, and generating sample IDs, including importing samples by drag-and-drop and directly entering sample information in the user interface. (docs)
• Assay Data Management - Improved user experience for defining, importing and managing assay data directly in the Biologics application. (docs)
• Sequence Validation - Improved validation of whitespaces and stop codons in nucleotide and protein sequences. (docs)
• Release Notes 20.11 (November 2020)

Release 20.7, July 2020

• Sample Import - Expanded sample import options within the Biologics application. (docs)
• Assay Data Import and Re-import - Improved interface for importing and re-importing assay data. (docs)
• Release Notes 20.7

Release 20.3, March 2020

• Sample Comparison Reports - Create assay summary reports for selected samples. Removed in version 22.3
• Improved Data Grid Paging - Improvements allow you to select the number of rows to show on a given page and to jump to the first or last page directly. (docs)
• Release Notes 20.3

Release 19.3, November 2019

• Lineage Improvements - The Lineage tab provides graphical and grid views on lineage relationships, as well as sample details. (docs)
• Reports tab - The Reports tab displays custom grids and charts added by administrators. (docs)
• Release Notes 19.3

Release 19.2, July 2019

• Expanded Characters in Sequences. DNA/RNA sequences can use expanded characters beyond A, C, G, T, and U. (docs)
• Reporting Enhancements User-created reports, charts, and custom grids are collected and displayed on the Reports tab. (docs)
• Assay QC States - Configure and use custom states for quality control workflows in assays. Available in both LabKey Server and Biologics. (admin docs) and (Biologics user docs)
• Release Notes: 19.2

Release 19.1, March 2019

• Custom Charts and Grids - Display charts and custom grids within Biologics. (docs)
• File Attachments - Attach files to experiments. (docs)
• Bulk Upload Ingredients and Raw Materials - Import ingredients and materials in bulk using Excel, TSV, and other tabular file formats. (docs)
• Support for 'Unknown' Ingredients - Include "unknowns" in bulk registration of mixtures and batches. (docs)
• Improved Batch Creation - Add an ingredient off recipe during the creation of a batch. (docs)
• Assay Data for Samples - When a sample has multiple associated assays, the results are displayed on different tabs on the sample's details page. (docs)
• Release Notes 19.1

Release 18.3, November 2018

• Biologics Trial Servers Available - Create a web-based server instance to explore LabKey Biologics. (docs)
• Experiment Framework - Manage experiments, associated samples and assay data. Add and remove samples from an existing experiment. View the assay data linked to samples in an experiment. (docs)
• Lineage Grid - View sample lineage in a grid format. (docs)
• Import Constructs from GenBank Files - Import Constructs using the GenBank file format (.gb, .genbank). (docs)
• Custom Views - Administrators can define and expose multiple views on Biologics grid data, allowing end users to select from the list of views. (docs)
• Tutorials - Use these tutorials as a guided tour of LabKey Biologics:
• Biologics Basics: Navigate and Search
• Biologics Tutorial: Add Sequences to the Registry
• Release Notes 18.3

Release 18.2, July 2018

• Experiments - Build and define experiments with samples. (docs)
• Details for Related Entities - The user interface for related entities has been improved with expandable details panels. (docs)
• Editable Grid Improvements - Insert sample details or upload assay data in a grid. (docs)
• Bulk Import for Media - Quickly specify ingredients for recipes or batches. (docs)
• Release Notes 18.2

Release 18.1, March 2018

• Improved Navigation - Redesigned navigation bars have replaced the "breadcrumb" links. Multiple tabs have been added to select details pages in the registry. (docs)
• Bulk Import Entities - Bulk import nucleotide sequences, protein sequences, molecules, mixtures, and mixture batches using an Excel file, or other tabular file format. (docs)
• Editable Grid for Assay Data - Enter assay data directly into the data grid without the need for a file-based import. (docs)
• GenBank File Format - Import and export data using the GenBank file format. (docs)
• Multiple Sample Assay Data Upload (docs)
• Improved Media Registration - Include an expiration date for batches of media. Mark raw materials and media batches as "consumed" to track the current supply. (docs)
• Release Notes 18.1

Release 17.3, November 2017

• Documentation - The documentation for LabKey Biologics is now publicly available. (docs)
• Release Notes 17.3

Release 17.2, July 2017

• Vendor Supplied Mixtures - Add vendor supplied materials and mixtures to the registry, even when exact ingredients and/or amounts are unknown.
• Editable Registry Fields - Some fields in the registry can be directly edited by the user, such as description and flag fields.
• Media Batches - Users can create media batches using recipes and ingredients already entered into the repository.
• Improved Sample Creation - A new sample generation wizard makes it easier to enter new samples in the repository, and to link them with existing DataClasses and parent samples.
• Release Notes 17.2

March 2017

• LabKey Biologics is Launched!

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The symbol indicates a feature available in the Enterprise Edition of LabKey Biologics LIMS.