The recent ALA industrial automation survey indicated that the speed, reliability and function of laboratory automation tools are no longer the most limiting factor in the use of such automation. The current limiting factors have to do with the challenge of doing science with such tools, such as developing and validating new automated protocols. In response to this information, the ALA has worked together with two leading providers of laboratory automation to put together a series of workshops that focus specifically on the practical matters and challenges of putting automation to work to do good science. This is the new ALA Spotlight Series.

The Lab Man talked to ALA President Professor Doktor Reinhold Schaefer about these events. He indicates that this is a series of 4 FREE workshops to be held this fall in San Diego, San Francisco, Princeton and Boston. Exact dates, locations and program details can be found on the ALA website. The ALA has partnered with Symyx Technologies and Thermo-Fisher to provide a full day of presentations specifically focused on "how-to" aspects of putting automation to work to do science. This will be an interactive, tutorial-type workshop environment to discuss the successes and challenges of transferring and deploying automation and related technologies in the laboratory, in essence, putting automation to work in a real-world bio-pharma laboratory. As with JALA and LabAutomation, the ALA has put together a team to peer-review the workshop content, in this case Faculty Advisors Mark Russo and, of course, The Lab Man. So the attendees' can be assured of a high-quality scientific program, definitely not a marketing presentation.

Reinhold also pointed out one of the very unique aspects of the Spotlight Series is that early registrants will have the opportunity to vote on which presentations they wish to see. This allows for flexibility in the curriculum to change by locale based on the attendee?s needs, wants and desires.

I asked Reinhold how he, as ALA president, sees this series fitting into the organizations strategic plan. He replied that one of the key goals of the ALA is to provide cost-sensitive educational opportunities on a global basis, blending the three distinct but interconnected groups that comprise the ALA: academic and government personnel; industrial technology users; and the technology providing industry. After this inaugural year for the Spotlight Series, he envisions taking the Spotlight Series to other locales around the globe, such as Basel, Frankfurt, Beijing, Mumbai, Dubai and more.

In keeping with the ALA tradition of making events enjoyable, these workshops have been placed close to members' workplaces, because everyone is busy. Breakfast and a full plated lunch will be provided. Together with lunch will be a mid-day session titled: "The World is Flat: Collaborative Science in a Changing Electronic World", which will include an open forum discussion featuring respected scientists trained on the issues at hand in the changing world of enterprise-wide R&D Informatics.

Information about these and any other ALA activities can always be found at the ALA website. Invitations are being mailed, but you don't need an invitation to attend, nor do you need to be an ALA member. The Spotlight Series is free for anyone to attend, although there will be a limit on the amount of attendees which can be accommodated, so best to sign up early - and provide input about the program options. As a special "get to know the ALA" bonus, non-member attendees will be given full member access to the ALA website for three months.

Enjoy the events!

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!