ELN (Electronic Laboratory Notebook)

ELN is the central module of this BiochemLabSolutions program. 

ELN serves to keep records (such as laboratory records) and data files in a very organized way, stamped with a date and unique ID. Adding a new record can be as easy as writing new Title and pressing the "page" button. The record will then be data stamped, formatted and integrated into the notebook automatically. The records can be extensively edited later and the details and results filled in.

There are two types of records: "Projects" and "Notes". "Projects" are equivalent to paper folders with day-to-day records on a particular research project.
"Notes" are organized thematically rather than by date-time and useful for organizing general laboratory protocols.

Before using ELN, it is necessary to define if ELN will be encrypted or unencrypted.

Instructions below apply to unencrypted ELN.
The use of encrypted ELN is outlined in the TrueCrypt section.  

How to begin. Set a working directory first.

In the "Controls" tab, fill in Working ELN directory in which Projects and Notes will be stored. Do not check the Encrypted ELN check box.


Projects are automatically organized and hyperlinked electronic records based on a date-time structure.

Project name in typed in the "Title" box. Clicking "add" button creates a new folder with that title in the list to the right. Now project title needs to be clicked in the list box with the mouse.


Notes are electronic records organized thematically rather than by date-time.

Select "Notes" tab and follow the steps above for creating a new project.

Adding new entries to Projects and Notes

In the "Title" box, type the title of a new record. In the "Description" box below, type a detailed note, in plain text. A new page can be added to Projects or Notes using the "page" button. The records can be accessed by clicking the VIEW button.


Auto formatting

All digits will be highlighted in green (1, 23.45) for better visibility.


Spell checking

Spell checking is built-in and is always enabled in the Description window. If a certain correct word is highlighted in red, it can be added to the dictionary.


Viewing projects

Select a project and then click "VIEW" button below. This will open most recent page of the project in "Editor".

Although Internet Explorer is recommended for project browsing, other web browsers can too be used to view the records.


The "BOX" button

This button will save a snapshot of the Biochem Lab Solutions state (e.g. values in its text boxes) in a  *.dca file and append this file to the current page (current page ID is shown on the "folder" button).
Each time "page" or "folder" buttons are clicked, the "folder" button is disabled to disallow overwriting existing *.dca file. To enable this button back, simply type a new title in the "title (opt)" text box in the Solutions module.