Abstract
After two years of publication, LAN has retired its current name to be replaced with the more comprehensive title; Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation (JALA). From this first issue on, JALA will serve as the principal publication of the Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA). JALA will provide state-of-the-art information about laboratory automation in the form of peer reviewed publications, news and advertisements. This is central to the mission of the ALA, to serve the international association of scientists, engineers, and manufacturers. The purpose of JALA is to advance the worldwide knowledge and utilization of automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to improve the quality, efficiency, and relevance of laboratory analysis.
The front cover of JALA is devoted to one of the pioneering companies that initiated the laboratory automation market in North America. Many years ago, Zymark initiated the concept of a versatile, reprogrammable laboratory aid to assist with the many “laboratory unit operations” performed by scientists. This concept spawned an entire new laboratory industry that is experiencing explosive growth. Like JALA, Zymark is also at a new beginning. The enclosed article describes Zymark's addition of linear modular automation to their product line. Interestingly, we are witnessing simultaneous development of linear modular automation in the clinical automation industry.
As these exciting fields develop, there is little question that there is much work to be done for automation to take its place as the next paradigm in laboratory organization. The laboratory public needs to have access to critical reviews of the latest trends and technologies. Progress in the establishment of global standards must be reported in a practical and timely way and readers must be guided through the best options for implementing these new methods. JALA will serve as the single voice to assure a simultaneous worldwide understanding of automation and its infinite possibilities.
JALA is excited to welcome its world class Editorial Board. Drawn from leading scientists and entrepreneurs throughout the laboratory industry and academia, this Board consists of the leading experts and pioneers in laboratory automation. With their vision they shall chart a direction for the content of JALA that will best serve the membership of the ALA.
We welcome the participation of you, our members, in JALA by submitting original publications, news stories, and advertisements. In the course of the last two eventful years, LAN has already established a worthy reputation for high quality, high content articles supported by full color photos of automated technology. Through the process of peer review, and with our dedicated Editorial Board, we can faithfully guarantee that JALA continues to build on this solid foundation. Through this transition we assure the ALA members of the high quality, honorable reporting which helps them remain at the forefront of their field.
Sincerely,
