Implementation of a modular digital laboratory infrastructure for SiLA 2 based devices

Laboratory digitalization is a complex field that includes many aspects to consider, such as device control, data management, and data evaluation. This article presents a potential laboratory digitalization process, including the use of open-source software and hardware components from laboratory equipment to data evaluation. It shows what is required and how it can be used. In this example, a SiLA-based continuous chromatography system is used as a model device to demonstrate the possible purification of GFP from crude cell lysate. The current version of the Gateway Module is a translation unit for driver protocols used for device control. It uses SiLA-based drivers within a Docker environment to communicate with the server infrastructure. The Gateway Module software was managed and rolled out with the mkbox-project. Finally, the recorded laboratory data are stored in a data management system and made available for later analysis. The article also discusses how software and hardware are maintained in the background, as well as the update strategy used.