interlab

Interlab is a term used to describe collaborative, cross-laboratory efforts to compare, validate, or standardize experimental methods and data across multiple laboratories. Such initiatives aim to improve reproducibility, data quality, and transparency by sharing protocols, materials, and analysis methods and by benchmarking results against reference standards.

One widely cited use is the InterLab study organized by the iGEM Foundation. It brings laboratories to perform a common set of measurements, often fluorescence readouts from standardized constructs, and to report results with uniform conventions. The aim is to quantify and reduce inter-lab variability to enable more credible cross-lab comparisons in synthetic biology.

Implementation typically involves distributing reference materials and protocols, collecting instrument readings, and submitting data for centralized analysis. Results provide benchmarks for instrument performance, assess protocol adherence, and inform recommendations to improve reproducibility.

Beyond iGEM, interlab collaborations appear in other scientific contexts, including proficiency testing and external quality assurance programs. Challenges include equipment access, reagent availability, and adherence to standardized procedures. The term remains a general label for multi-lab initiatives that strive to harmonize methods and outcomes.