Sapio – ELaiN

Innovation of the Year
for a product or service

Natural language is the interface of the future; however, traditional large language models struggle to deliver scientific functions. Science-aware AI is paving the way for a new era of scientific productivity and progress. Sapio ELaiN (Electronic Laboratory Artificially Intelligent Notebook) is the first multilingual, science-aware AI assistant purpose-built for use within a lab informatics platform. Embedded directly into the Sapio Platform, comprising ELN (electronic lab notebook), LIMS (laboratory information management software), and SDMS (scientific data management system), ELaiN enables scientists to carry out complex tasks using plain language, removing reliance on remembering complex click paths, menus, scripting, or software training.

ELaiN is powered by a large language model trained specifically on the Sapio system and lab-specific terminology. It provides an intuitive, chat-like interface that allows researchers to “ask” the system to build multistep experiments or experiment templates, query large datasets, generate reports, or manage inventory. This user experience is designed for the way scientists actually work, making lab informatics more accessible, responsive, and productive.

Rather than functioning as a bolt-on chatbot, ELaiN is fully integrated across the Sapio Platform, offering intelligent interaction with experiment design, sample management, and data analytics. It supports both voice and text commands, which reduces software complexity and lowers the barrier to adoption for users at every technical level.

ELaiN is the first AI-native assistant built specifically for laboratory informatics environments. It understands scientific context, responds to domain-specific queries, and executes lab workflows in real time. Its deep integration into Sapio’s ELN, LIMS, and SDMS transforms it from a general-purpose assistant into a true digital lab assistant. Scientists can use natural language (voice or text) to create experiments, retrieve analytical data, track reagents, or even generate Python code for workflow customization.

By automating time-intensive tasks and simplifying data access, ELaiN frees researchers to focus on high-value scientific work. It helps accelerate experiment setup, improves data consistency, and reduces the training requirements often associated with lab software.

Real-World Applications

• Experiment Creation and Automation: Scientists can use natural language commands to build new experiments from scratch or using templates, including specifying layouts (e.g., “Create a 8x12 dilution plate with 8 DNA samples with controls in A11 and A12”). ELaiN automatically generates the experiment structure, reducing manual entry and setup time.
• Search, Retrieval, and Visualization: ELaiN allows users to retrieve data from across the Sapio Platform by asking questions like “Find the results from the inhibitor Y screening experiment and compare them with Study X.” Results are returned with appropriate visualizations and metadata context.
• Inventory and Equipment Management: With a simple prompt such as “What reagents are expiring this month?” or “Show me all DNA samples created this year,” ELaiN returns actionable inventory data, eliminating the need for manual filtering or dashboard navigation.
• Code Generation: For labs that customize workflows using code, ELaiN can convert natural language into Python scripts. This dramatically reduces the technical effort needed to configure or extend Sapio’s no-code platform.
• Platform Navigation and Support: ELaiN can answer questions about platform use (e.g., “How do I add a new user?”), providing immediate, in-context support that helps reduce reliance on documentation or IT staff.

Summary

Sapio ELaiN is a genuine advancement in the usability of lab informatics systems. It applies cutting-edge AI technology to practical scientific tasks and enhances lab operations without adding complexity. Launched for general availability in September 2024, Sapio ELaiN is the first AI assistant purpose-built for scientific workflows, and it is already helping labs improve efficiency, accelerate discovery, and make informatics more approachable.

By embedding science-aware AI across its platform, Sapio is not only enabling researchers to interact with data more naturally but also creating a foundation for the labs of the future.