title: PASSIM--an open source software system for managing information in biomedical studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the crucial aspects of day-to-day laboratory information management is collection, storage and retrieval of information about research subjects and biomedical samples. An efficient link between sample data and experiment results is absolutely imperative for a successful outcome of a biomedical study. Currently available software solutions are largely limited to large-scale, expensive commercial Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). Acquiring such LIMS indeed can bring laboratory information management to a higher level, but often implies sufficient investment of time, effort and funds, which are not always available. There is a clear need for lightweight open source systems for patient and sample information management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We present a web-based tool for submission, management and retrieval of sample and research subject data. The system secures confidentiality by separating anonymized sample information from individuals' records. It is simple and generic, and can be customised for various biomedical studies. Information can be both entered and accessed using the same web interface. User groups and their privileges can be defined. The system is open-source and is supplied with an on-line tutorial and necessary documentation. It has proven to be successful in a large international collaborative project.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented system closes the gap between the need and the availability of lightweight software solutions for managing information in biomedical studies involving human research subjects.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, Riga, University of Latvia, Latvia. jviksna@mii.lu.lv <jviksna@mii.lu.lv>
authors.forename: Juris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viksna
authors.forename: Edgars
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Celms
authors.forename: Martins
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Opmanis
authors.forename: Karlis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Podnieks
authors.forename: Peteris
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rucevskis
authors.forename: Andris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zarins
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Sudeshna Guha
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Neogi
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krestyaninova
authors.forename: Mark I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Alvis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brazma
authors.forename: Ugis
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sarkans
mesh_terms: D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000379:methods; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D003628:Database Management Systems; D016208:Databases, Factual; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D011381:Programming Languages; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface