Research Centre for Digital Labs & Production
The Research Centre for Digital Labs & Production connects people, spaces and processes in the life sciences. From mixed-reality digital twins via progressive web applications to machine-to-machine interfaces, we connect physical and digital worlds through data and analytics.
About us
The centre combines specific methodological and technological expertise in the digitization and virtualization of laboratories, processes and production facilities in the life sciences. This includes, on the one hand, the networking of devices, processes and people using interfaces, data pipelines and data management and, on the other hand, the mapping of physical systems and infrastructures to models and simulation environments. Digital twins are a good example of how these topics interact.
Three research groups are active in this field.
Simulation & Optimization
Strategic, tactical and operational process optimization using modelling and simulation tools are the focus of the research group. This includes the modelling and simulation of the dynamics of heterogeneous, complex systems as well as the investigation, optimization and control of their behaviour.
Group leader: Prof. Dr. Lukas Hollenstein | Learn more about the research group Simulation & Optimization
Data Management & Visualization
The research group specializes in the development of systems for data aggregation, transformation and management. Processing pipelines are designed and implemented to take data from their sources (e.g. graphic user interfaces, wearable sensors, measuring probes) through preparation steps (incl. quality control and homogenization) to storage solutions, analysis and visualization of results and insights.
Group leader: Dr. Robert Vorburger | Learn more about the research group Data Management & Visualization
Edge Computing & Interfaces
The research group combines dynamic physical structures with digital environments using sensor, actuators, and edge computing. The group supports automation and decentralized intelligent data processing in the life sciences by connecting people, machines, and contexts.
Group leader: Dr. Christian Glahn
Teaching Activites
The centre offers courses at BSc and MSc level in the fundamentals of data science, in mathematical and physical modelling (with a focus on simulation-based process optimization), in data management (with a focus on database technologies and visualization), and in physical computing (sensors and actuators) as well as cloud and edge computing.
The specialization Digital Labs & Production of the BSc ADLS is coordinated by this centre and corresponding Bachelor and Master theses are offered.
- Bachelor of Science (ZHAW) in Applied Computational Life Sciences
- Master of Science in Life Sciences - Specialisation Applied Computational Life Sciences
In addition, the centre is involved in programs and activities in the field of science education beyond the university level and offers continuing education courses.
Projects
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Mobile tool for the evaluation of forest edges - Digital Transformation
The tried and tested forest edge key (Krüsi et al. 2017) is suitable for recording the initial condition and later monitoring the success of forest edge enhancements, as it provides reproducible results and is easy to use (Fuhrer et al. submitted). For this reason, this forest edge key is to be further developed ...
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Positive selection detection of genome from Ralstonia bacterium
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Longitudinal progression of White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH)
According to the latest figures from Alzheimer Switzerland, there are currently 48,242 women and 15,711 men aged 85 years and older living with dementia in Switzerland. So-called White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH), which can be measured in MRI images of the brains white matter, are distinct biomarkers of dementia ...
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Bio-SODA – Enabling Complex, Semantic Queries to Bioinformatics Databases through Intuitive Searching over Data (SNSF NRP 75 "Big Data")
One of the major promises of Big Data lies in the simultaneous mining of multiple sources of data. This is particularly important in life sciences, where different and complementary data are scattered across multiple resources. To overcome this issue, the use of RDF/semantic web technology is emerging, but querying ...
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Generic Simulation and Scheduling Tool for Powder Spray Coating Facilities
Powder spray coating facilities belong to the largest energy consumers in Swiss industry. The plant configuration and the production sequence must be optimized for economical and ecological operation. As yet there is no satisfactory tool for this. Our goal is to solve this optimization problem by combining methods ...
Publications
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Derman, Melih; Hollenstein, Lukas,
2024.
Reduktion potenzieller Schadensmengen entlang der Kakao-Supply-Chain.
Transfer.
2024(1), pp. 5.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-30613
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Müller, Claudia; Zbinden, Erich; Beretta, Claudio; Baumer, Beatrice,
2024.
In:
61. Wissenschaftlicher Kongress der DGE, Kassel, Deutschland, 4.-6. März 2024.
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Vorburger, Robert,
2023.
Gebietsüberwachung im Pflanzenschutz : das Surveillance Tool.
TRANSFER.
2023(1), pp. 4.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-29500
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Rüegg, Ramona; Schmid, Tamara; Hollenstein, Lukas; Müller, Nadina,
2022.
Effect of particle characteristics and foaming parameters on resulting foam quality and stability.
LWT - Food Science and Technology.
167(113859).
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113859
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Gerber, Nicole; Hollenstein, Lukas,
2022.
Wie die Digitalisierung den Food Service im Care Bereich erreicht.
Clinicum.
2022(4), pp. 79-80.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-25448