Long-distance research now made easier

Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have launched the “Laboratree research management system,” designed to support long-distance research between scientists.

Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have launched the “Laboratree research management system,” designed to support long-distance research between scientists.

Built on Google’s OpenSocial platform, Laboratree facilitates day-to-day research by using the familiar territory of social networking sites such as Facebook, but provides scientific applications and data management.

The project also allows scientists to create a unique profile, invite users to participate as “colleagues” and create and manage individual scientific projects.

Sean Mooney, assistant professor of medical and molecular genetics at the university, told ITnews.com.au: “My thinking is that we should actually try to do things with a social network – that is, we should consider the social network the model by which we do things.

“We didn’t use an existing network because we created very sophisticated group and project features not offered by other sites,” he says. “Our focus is on providing scientists with tools specifically useful for researchers.”