Question 5
"What does tomorrow’s research look like?"
Many areas of life will experience far-reaching innovations in the future. But what does this mean for the researchers who are seeking to realize these aims?
Some of these innovations are already applied in labs today. One of these is big data. The amount of data we can store and the speed at which it can be processed has been increasing exponentially for decades, and these abilities are having an enormous impact in many areas of life science research.
Lab automation will also inevitably continue in years to come. In today’s labs, automation is still mostly associated with repetitive, high-throughput tasks, but as machines and software get smarter and the role of AI is expanding, it will also become possible to use automation in research tasks that require adjustments based on initial results.
And what other areas will define the lab, or researcher, of tomorrow? It has been suggested that introducing gamification and game theory elements into research will contribute to the research of the future, but maybe the next big thing will come from somewhere nobody expects.
In the last 75 years, we at Eppendorf have been leading the way in applying the latest technologies to support the scientists of tomorrow. You can see this in one of our core areas – pipetting – where we support automation through our epMotion® automated liquid handling systems, place user ergonomics at the center with our PhysioCare® concept, and improve connectivity with our new connected pipette.
But we have not stopped there. We have also teamed up with other companies in the smartLAB collaboration to work on new digital solutions for labs worldwide. Our VisioNize® and eLABTM applications offering helps scientists digitize lab tasks that are often done manually, such as equipment control, inventory management, and lab journal writing – thereby helping labs to become connected, paperless, and ready for the future.
Learn more about Digital Lab Solutions from Eppendorf | Cloud Solutions in Science | Digital sample Management
Disclaimer
Nature® is a registered trademark of Springer Nature Holdings Ltd., UK. Eppendorf®, the Eppendorf Brand Design, Eppi®, epMotion®, Eppendorf Tubes®, VisioNize® and the Eppendorf PhysioCare Concept® are registered trademarks of Eppendorf AG, Germany. eLABTM is a trademark of Bio-ITech BV.
I am a retiree, so you might wonder why and what Eppendorf experience I have to share with the working community. The best I dare say! Trained as and working as a lab technician for all my professional life I came to appreciate a good pipette and there self-evidently accuracy but no less important, a pipette that is easy on the joints. After some years in the job working with different brands, my finger joints, the elbow and even the shoulder became increasingly aching. A visiting representative whom I told about the problem left me a trial set of Eppendorf pipettes and tips assuring me, that using these tools my worries would be over. And yes, she was right! The trial period was so successful, that from then on until my retirement I used “Eppendorf Pipettes and tips” thanks to which I retired with healthy hands and joints! Great stuff!
Year – when did this happen: 1990 - 2015
Location – where did this happen: Basel
Since I started my master degree i had eppendorf pipettes and once someone gave me a pipette pen! I still have it and is one of my precious gifts from that time.
Where did it happened? Granada, Spain
Year – when did this happen: 2008
Location – where did this happen: Barcelona
My first time purchased and used electronic multiple channel pipettes. They were new to the lab I was working at and the next day I used, it was missing from the original storage location because my other colleagues also loved the ergonomic design. I ended up bought a few more sets for the entire lab as the set I bought was missing all the time!
Year – when did this happen: 2014
Location – where did this happen: USA
Every day I use (any) Eppendorf centrifuge (big or small) makes me smile because I like the stability of the centrifuges, the easiness of using them and also simplicity of the designs. (like all of the instruments of Eppendorf they are pleasure of the eye)
Location – where did this happen: Leiden
My Eppendorf Moment was a few years ago when I was a student. I wanted to spin samples at big centrifuge. I used "Short spin" but did not know that there is "deceleration" function and the centrifuge was set to minimal deceleration so I was waiting very very very long for the centrifuge to stop. More times per day.
Year – when did this happen: 2013
Location – where did this happen: Bratislava, Slovakia