If so, then you should become acquainted with the SLAS Special Interest Groups, or SIGs. These are the most grass-roots of all SLAS member endeavors and are truly run by and for the members. In short, SIGs are groups of people with similar interests. These SIGs meet at the annual conference to discuss their topical area, listen to speakers they've recruited and just to network. They have been known to share a beer or two!

Ongoing SIGs include Academic Drug Discovery, ADMET, Automation Quality Control, Data and Image Analysis, Drug Repurposing, Microplate Standards, Sample Management, Screen Design and Management and Stem Cells.

New exploratory SIGs set to meet in San Diego at SLAS2012 include a group focused broadly on Technology Standards, a group of Scientific Informatics Professionals, and members focused on Technology Transfer and CRO/CMO project management. The list literally grows each day. 

What can a SIG accomplish? Well, the Microplate Standards SIG was formed because of the percieved need for uniformity in the dimensions of microplates. Many may not be aware that when microplate automation began to appear in the 1980s and  '90s, microplates from different sources were all just a little different, enough so that stackers, grippers and readers worked well with some and not others. This SIG worked for many years to develop the current set of ANSI/SLAS Microplate Standards, now considered essential by the industry.

SIGs can influence the program content of the annual conference, or can even form the nucleus of a SLAS Symposium, as was the case with the Stem Cell SIG leading to the creation of the series of Screening Stem Cells Symposia.  SIGs can connect SLAS with other professional organizations to form productive collaborative partnerships.  Or SIGs can just serve to connect people with like interests.  Many SIGs have chat groups via the SLAS LinkedIn site.  It's really totally up to the SIG members.

SLAS now has a member of the professional team focused on encourging and helping SIGs - Katie Woywod. We hope to encourage SIGs to develop more year-round activity, not just at the annual conference.  If you have a special interest and suspect others share that interest, contact Katie about forming a SIG and connect with your peers! 

Listen to The Lab Man podcast with Sue Holland-Crimmin. 

Read the SLAS Electronic Laboratory Neighborhood article on SIGs.

As always - until next time!

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!