What is this?
metaFirst is a lightweight system for keeping track of your samples and
the metadata that goes with them. Think of it as the shared lab notebook
for what you collected, when, and under which conditions — without
moving any of your actual data files.
Why bother?
- Find things later. Six months from now you (or a colleague) can
search for “all pH-stress samples from the March run” instead of
scrolling through folder names.
- Capture metadata while it’s fresh. A small browser form pops up
when new data lands in a watched folder — fill it in on the spot,
before the details fade.
- Your files stay where they are. Nothing is uploaded or
reorganised. The system records references to files, not copies.
- One place for the whole group. Everyone in the lab sees the same
sample list and the same metadata fields, so handovers and
collaborations just work.
What it does not do
- It does not move, copy, or lock your data files.
- It does not enforce workflows or gate your next experiment.
- It does not require IT support to run — a single laptop is enough to
get started.
How to use it (the short version)
- Log in via the web interface your lab lead will share with you
(a local URL, typically on the lab network).
- Pick your project from the sidebar.
- Add samples — either create them by hand or let the file watcher
suggest new ones when data appears in a watched folder.
- Fill in the metadata the form asks for. The fields are defined by
your project’s data management plan, so you’ll see only what’s
relevant.
- Search and browse whenever you need to find a sample or check
what was recorded.
That’s it. If someone in your group needs to set up metaFirst from
scratch, there is a step-by-step install guide.
Guides
- Researcher Guide — full day-to-day walkthrough: projects, protocols, adding data, metadata visibility, worked example
- Glossary — quick reference for terms