Many thanks to those who replied to my query about managing lab workflows. It seems that most respondents are currently using the Big Excel Spreadsheet method, with some groups having the spreadsheet stored "in the cloud" i.e. as a Google Doc for safety and accessibility. Many respondents suggested using FileMaker Pro, which is a relational database (like Microsoft Access) that is a native Mac OS application. I had looked at this, and also at OpenOffice.org's Base program, which is cross-platform and open-source. Other relational databases suggested were Bento (not familiar with it, but it is made by the same company as FileMaker Pro, and seems like it might be a "lite" version) and Visual Fox Pro. Finally, a couple of dedicated solutions were suggested (and I'm not reviewing these- just first impressions): Lablife seems to be a web-based service with a free academic license. It seems like a very general assistant lab manager, supporting inventory, ordering, etc. with a few biology-specific features and cloning tools. EarthCape (http://www.earthcape.com ) seems like will be primarily a collection/accesssion management tool and not specifically oriented toward dealing with genetic data and workflows, though it may have some functionality for this. Finally, the Moorea Biocode LIMS /(Laboratory Information Management)/ Software (http://software.mooreabiocode.org) is an add-on to the Geneious program which tracks samples and sequencing experiments within Geneious. None of our students have had any experience with relational databases, and while some of these programs may be easier to learn & use than MS Access, it is a lot to ask of students when they are also trying to learn PCR & sequencing, etc. The Biocode LIMS looks very slick, and may be exactly what we need since our lab uses Geneious anyway. Thanks again to all who responded! Norm -- Norman A. Douglas Postdoctoral Research Associate Oberlin College Biology Department Science Center K107 119 Woodland St. Oberlin, OH 44074-1097 (440) 775-6277 norm.douglas@oberlin.edu Norman Douglas