The Apple iPhone was voted recently as one of the 10 greatest modern inventions ever, all while being hailed as “changing the universe” due to allowing us to have everything we need at our fingertips.  The iPhone’s sister device, the iPad, has further pushed the technological envelope while easing basic tasks such as email, note-taking, reading, and other endless applications that could only be done at a computer.  One area where the iPad can have a tremendous impact in its utility is academia and the research setting—helping to increase productivity, creativity, planning, and even streamlining daily tasks. While there are many niche, specialized, helpful apps for a wide range of scientific disciplines, and an even bigger subset for science fans, few apps can truly be called indispensible for researchers.  Below are five that any academic research scientist could and should have on their iPad:

Today we launched the free Labguru iPad app for academic scientists who juggle multiple concurrent experiments and seek to better organize their experimental notes. The Labguru iPad app syncs the bench-relevant information from experiments planned and tracked on Labguru’s collaborative research management web service, helping scientists effortlessly transition from planning and analyzing experiments at the desk to executing protocols and collecting data at the bench.

We’re thrilled to announce that yesterday we launched Labguru, a research management tool designed for academic labs. Labguru’s customizable and affordable web application helps researchers plan experiments, track progress, share results and comments, manage inventories, and organize related documents, protocols and data. More information is available at www.labguru.com.

“Labguru helps researchers, principal investigators and lab managers see the big picture of their research without losing sight of the details vital to scientific discovery,” says Jonathan Gross, Founder and Co-CEO of BioData.

Labguru is an intuitive web-based interface and email alerts service that helps improve the way researchers:

Don’t…

1.  Procrastinate.  The list of tasks leading up to opening your first lab and starting your professorship appointment can seem quite formidable.  The sooner you start planning and executing, the smoother the process will flow.

2.  Panic.  Your to-do list is large, but not overwhelming.  Use time, planning and organization to simplify and keep track of tasks.  Help from current and future colleagues, along with tools such as BioData’s lab start-up checklist and interactive worksheet are essential management resources.

3.  Be afraid to fail and change course.  Whether it’s those first few experiments, balancing teaching and mentorship, or laboratory management or personnel issues, some things about your new lab will work, but others inevitably won’t.  Don’t be frustrated by these learning experiences, use them to strengthen your laboratory and group for the future.

DO…
1.  Organize, strategize and prioritize.  From the moment you receive the wonderful news that you have been offered a tenure-track position, immediately start planning essential steps towards wrapping up your fellowship, moving to your new location and establishing your lab and research project.  Use BioData’s helpful New Lab Checklist and accompanying interactive planning worksheet, along with our revolutionary online management system to start your lab on a structured course and keep it that way!

2.  Promote yourself and your research!  The tools of the digital age—including a lab website, social media such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and video services—allow you to publicize your laboratory, research, and connect with colleagues around the world.