Lean Lab Space - Efficiency and Ergonomics in a Biotechnology Laboratory:
A User Report on the All-Rounder for the Lab - the SmartRack®
Navigo Proteins GmbH, a biotechnology company based in Halle (Saale), was founded in 1999. Navigo Proteins specializes in the production of ubiquitin-based affinity ligands used in radiotherapy. The company employs around 80 people and has made a name for itself in the industry through its innovative solutions and products.
At the Labvolution laboratory fair in Hannover in 2023, the Navigo Proteins team became aware of Better Basics Laborbedarf and the award-winning product “SmartRack®“. The company’s interest was particularly piqued by the space management, workplace organization, and innovative add-ons such as the tissue holder, leading them to invest in the workplace organization system for laboratory workplaces.
"Overall, the SmartRack® has made a very positive impression on us. For other workplaces with multiple requirements,
we will keep the SmartRack® in mind."
The laboratories at Navigo Proteins mainly conduct protein analyses, such as protein determination using NanoDrop and the determination of protein melting curves using DSF. One of the biggest challenges the company faced was the lack of space in the laboratory, which affected the efficiency and ergonomics of the work processes.
The requirements for the SmartRack® were clearly defined: It should improve order and regularity at general workstations and increase employee satisfaction through better work processes. It also had to meet in-house and statutory requirements, such as the use of an organizational system and compliance with DIN ISO standards.
Navigo Proteins uses the SmartRack® as an organizational element at a general workplace in the laboratory. The implementation went smoothly, as the use of the SmartRack® is intuitive and self-explanatory. The SmartRack® is installed on a workbench between two devices, facilitating the organization of experiments.
"The SmartRack® is a very good addition to laboratory work. At disorganized or generally used workstations,
it creates inherent order and more free table space."
After about two months of intensive use of the SmartRack®, several benefits were noted:
- 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Employees were more satisfied after the introduction of the SmartRack® and the workplace was significantly better organized.
- 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝗘𝗿𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀s: These aspects were significantly improved. The tissue box holders and pipette holders of the SmartRack® are particularly popular.
- 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 (free table space at the laboratory workstation): Measurements on DSF and NanoDrop can now be conducted in a more structured manner after the introduction of the SmartRack® because the space is tidier and more organized. Conducting routine experiments has become much easier as a result.
Conclusion
In summary, the SmartRack® represents a valuable addition to laboratory work at Navigo Proteins GmbH. Efficiency, ergonomics, and systematics have been significantly increased through the use of the SmartRack®. One employee summarizes the experience with the organizational system as follows: “The SmartRack® is a very good addition to laboratory work. At disorganized or generally used workstations, it creates inherent order and more free table space.”
In the meantime, Better Basics has already developed a customized holder for laboratory thread bottles ranging from 100 to 1000 ml (GL45) that fits specifically on the existing Cytiva-Äkta rail. The feedback on the collaboration so far has been: “Overall, the SmartRack® has made a very positive impression on us. For other workplaces with multiple requirements, we will keep the SmartRack® in mind.”
Outlook
The positive experiences with the SmartRack® reinforce Navigo Proteins GmbH’s decision to further expand cooperation with Better Basics Laborbedarf. There is particular interest in the customizing services offered by Better Basics for the development of new modules and holders to further optimize laboratory organization and efficiency. The partnership impressively demonstrates how targeted innovations can improve operational processes in biotechnology laboratories.
Download our folder to this topic
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 – 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗿𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗔 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗯 – 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗸®
Further Information
You can download our product catalog as a PDF file from the downloads section of our website.
If you are interested in our products, please use the inquiry form in the downloads section.