User-Populated Online Repository of Science Protocols

A system for providing a web-based repository of scientific protocols, the system comprising:

• a repository apparatus configured to execute a protocol management application that includes a plurality of application functionalities, including
• a user registration function to register a user,
• a protocol submission function to register a specific protocol in a database,
• a protocol data base search function to search the protocol database based on specified key words and search options, and
• a protocol standardization function to standardize terms in protocols that are received via the protocol submission function by automatically changing at least one term in a submitted protocol to a different term based on a comparison of the submitted protocol to previously submitted protocols such that said at least one term is removed from the submitted protocol,
• the repository apparatus including a web interface part configured to provide a user with a navigable menu for accessing a plurality of application functionalities;
• and
• an application user interface apparatus configured to communicate with the protocol management application, the application user interface apparatus including a processor and a non-transitory computer medium embodying instructions executable by the processor to configure the application user interface to include:
• a creation part configured to provide a protocol creation user interface, receive a series of user inputs entered by the user through the protocol creation user interface, create a new protocol based on the series of user inputs, and add the new protocol to a local protocol database;
• a modification part configured to provide a protocol modification user interface, receive a user selection of a specific protocol of the plurality of protocols and a series of user inputs entered by the user through the protocol modification user interface, and modifying the specific protocol based on the series of user inputs;
• an output part configured to provide a protocol output user interface, receive a user selection of a specific protocol of the plurality of protocols and a destination specified by the user, and outputting the specific protocol to the specified destination;
• and
• a download part configured to allow the user to (i) download a protocol from the protocol database by communicating with the repository apparatus or (ii) import a protocol from a text file or e-mail.

A protocol management apparatus including a processor and a non-transitory storage medium embodying instructions executable by the processor to configure the protocol management apparatus to include:

• a creation part configured to provide a protocol creation user interface, receive a series of user inputs entered by the user through the protocol creation user interface, create a new protocol based on the series of user inputs, and add the new protocol to a local protocol database;
• a modification part configured to provide a protocol modification user interface, receive a user selection of a specific protocol of the plurality of protocols and a series of user inputs entered by the user through the protocol modification user interface, and modifying the specific protocol based on the series of user inputs;
• an output part configured to provide a protocol output user interface, receive a user selection of a specific protocol of the plurality of protocols and a destination specified by the user, and outputting the specific protocol to the specified destination;
• an interface part configured to interface a protocol with laboratory equipment for automatic modifications of a setting of the laboratory equipment while the user is executing the protocol and error checking of the laboratory equipment while the user is executing the protocol;
• and
• a display part configured to display the user a list of the plurality of protocols stored in the local protocol database;
• wherein the display part is configured to display a checklist of all of the steps included in the protocol, allow a user to check off each step in the protocol that is completed, and alert the user when it is time to move on to the next step.

A protocol management apparatus including a processor and a non-transitory storage medium embodying instructions executable by the processor to configure the protocol management apparatus to include:

• a creation part configured to provide a protocol creation user interface, receive a series of user inputs entered by the user through the protocol creation user interface, create a new protocol based on the series of user inputs, and add the new protocol to a local protocol database;
• a modification part configured to provide a protocol modification user interface, receive a user selection of a specific protocol of the plurality of protocols and a series of user inputs entered by the user through the protocol modification user interface, and modifying the specific protocol based on the series of user inputs;
• an output part configured to provide a protocol output user interface, receive a user selection of a specific protocol of the plurality of protocols and a destination specified by the user, and outputting the specific protocol to the specified destination;
• and
• a display part configured to display the user a list of the plurality of protocols stored in the local protocol database;
• wherein when the display part receives a user selection of a specified protocol, the display part displays the protocol to the user, including each step of the protocol and tracked annotations that have been entered by one or more protocol management apparatus users and correspond to each step;
• wherein the display part provides users with the option of viewing the annotated protocol or the original protocol without the annotations, and each of the annotated protocol and the original protocol is stored in the local protocol database.