1. A method for managing a database for an experimental or clinical laboratory using a lightweight directory access protocol for identifying and storing information with said database, said method comprising the steps of: (a) applying said light directory access protocol to create a directory structure for said database, said directory structure having a plurality of nodes with distinguished names; (b) defining standardized data for at least one of experimental and clinical data; and (c) transforming said standardized data for mapping onto said plurality of nodes, wherein said standardized data includes reagent data.