Foreword
In late 2021, the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 emerged, and rapidly spread globally. It was more transmissible than past variants and carried a worryingly large number of mutations. At the time, we were supporting the UK’s Test and Trace program through Operational Support and R&D at the flagship ‘Megalab’ in Leamington Spa. We were tasked with delivering the design and implementation of a high capacity variant identification workflow, the project was dubbed “Reflex”.
In many ways, Reflex represents our origin story. We have written articles and given presentations at major conferences, but here is our candid recollection of the challenges and triumphs:
Donald Fraser
What was your role in this project?
“I was lead designer of the overall workflow. My background in molecular diagnostics and laboratory automation meant that I had a very clear vision for the operation. I was responsible for the specification of the workflow, from defining the standard operating procedures and staff training to the programming of the robotics. This project required me to operate both in high level planning functions and use my scientific skills to develop, optimise and validate the laboratory workflow.”
How did you manage this?
“I worked closely with a project manager, to whom I could delegate the administrative tasks of chairing meetings, taking minutes, action logs, and engaging stakeholders when I was otherwise engaged on technical activities. We operated as a team to develop the overall plan. Our communication strategy, which was a series of weekly meetings with various teams delivering different workstreams, ensured that stakeholders were kept up-to-date and the project was tracked.”
What was the most challenging aspect?
“There were two: Funding and Time. These are common challenges in many projects, but what was unique was that this project was commissioned without a budget for new hardware or software. It was a catch-22: we had to deliver the project at pace, but without an ability to procure anything – how could we make any progress?
I was forced to improvise by begging, borrowing and acquiring re-purposed laboratory equipment and reagents.
The second challenge was time. We initially had a six month window for delivery. This was dramatically shortened to one month once the speed of the spread of the Omicron variant became realised. In some respects, the time challenge alleviated the funding challenge and provided the necessary impetus to overcome inertia.
What concerned me though was that not enough skilled resource had been assigned to the development and management of the software side of the workflow to deliver even a minimum viable product in time. A commercial partner would never take on the risk of a one or two-month window for a LIMS development and implementation… But we still required a LIMS. Another paradoxical situation. This is when Benita and Stefan joined the team.”
Afterword
On hearing the Reflex story, we received a comment: ‘Pressure makes diamonds’. Indeed, we produced a high quality, elegant solution to a complex challenge. More than that though, extreme pressure can make or break teams and friendships; and it would be fair to say that the Reflex project made Omix. We are looking forward to what comes next.