Use case / Garvan Institute

Transforming Biobanking at Latvia BMC : A Story of Science and Solutions

The Genome Database of the Latvian Population, operated by the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, is one of the most advanced national biobanks in Europe. With over 30,000 participants and growing, it plays a central role in genomics-driven healthcare and research in Latvia and serves as the country’s official Biobanking and BioMolecular resources Research Infrastructure European Research Infrastructure Consortium node. The biobank manages complex operations and plays a vital role in supporting diagnostic and clinical research across the country. With over 120 studies and 25 active projects,

Faced Challenges

As the biobank scaled its operations, the legacy LIMS infrastructure proved insufficient for managing the increasing complexity of multi visit, multi sample study designs. LVBMC faced several key issues:

System Saturation and Fragmented Workflows:

The old system couldn’t support the increasing number and variety of studies. Workflows were disconnected between labs, making it difficult to maintain consistency between subject data and sample processing.

Fragmented Study Oversight:

No centralized environment existed for real-time tracking of milestones, sample availability, or consent statuses across protocols. While a LIMS was in place, many critical processes still depended on multiple disconnected Excel sheets, leading to duplicated effort, data inconsistencies, and limited operational visibility.

Data Migration at Scale:

LVBMC needed to migrate high-volume, multi-study data, including patient records, kit tracking logs, and storage metadata, without halting ongoing studies or compromising data integrity.

Limited Traceability for Research Assets:

Tracking kits, survey responses, and consent forms across longitudinal visits was difficult due to reliance on unlinked systems & spreadsheets.

Storage and Labeling Issues in Clinical Settings:

In hospital-based collections, occasional errors (e.g. using the wrong tube type) occurred. Labeling and correction processes were very slow and manual.

Enter Di-LIMS: The Hero of the Story

The Garvan team partnered with DiData, who introduced Di-LIMS—a Laboratory Information Management System tailored to their needs. Think of it as a super-organized sidekick that saved the day. Here’s how:

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Sample tracking

Every sample got a digital ID, tracked from collection to storage, no more lost notes.

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Real time Dashboard

Key info—like sample counts or bottlenecks—appeared instantly.

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Storage sync

Freezers and tanks were unified under one system, like a smart remote for the lab.

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Automation

Tedious tasks like generating reports or creating aliquotes? Done with a click.

The big wins

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Scalability

Di-LIMS was built to grow with the biobank’s ambitions.

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Precision

Verified data. Validated workflows. Each action time-stamped, each result traceable ensuring scientific precision at every step.

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More Research Time

Less grunt work meant more focus on discovery.

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Security

Immutable logs ensure full regulatory compliance and effortless audits.

The Team’s Take

The Garvan crew loves Di-LIMS The dashboards give instant clarity, the storage system keeps things humming, and automation frees up their days. It’s not just about managing samples—it’s about powering research that changes lives.

User 1Founder

the opinion

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User 1Founder

the opinion

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User 1Founder

the opinion

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The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s empowerment. Di-LIMS turned Garvan’s biobanking challenges into a launchpad for innovation. Better tracking, smoother workflows, and real-time smarts now support research that could lead to medical breakthroughs. It’s proof that the right tool can make the impossible feel easy.

Pie Chart of Sample Types Managed by Di-LIMS

Conclusion

Di-LIMS streamlined Garvan’s biobanking, boosted efficiency, and set the stage for growth. This case study shows how tailored tech can help research institutions focus on what matters—advancing science and improving lives.

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