Evolving Protocols Without Losing History
What happens when a protocol improves? Do we overwrite it?
Six months later, the DNA extraction SOP improves.
Original step:
Incubate at 55°C for 10 minutes.Improved step:
Incubate at 55°C for 20 minutes.Add Proteinase K.In traditional file systems, the old version disappears.
In a Git-based SOP system, it becomes part of the documented evolution.
Record the Improvement
Section titled “Record the Improvement”-
Edit the SOP.
-
Stage the change:
Terminal window git add DNA_Extraction.md -
Commit with explanation:
Terminal window git commit -m "Increase lysis time to improve DNA yield"
Why This Changes Laboratory Culture
Section titled “Why This Changes Laboratory Culture”Instead of:
- Silent overwriting
- Unclear provenance
- Informal knowledge transfer
You create:
- Documented improvements
- Transparent authorship
- Traceable method evolution
Protocols become scientific artifacts with history.