Additional assay information in the ASSAY_PARAM file

The ASSAY_PARAM file is an optional file type that describes the assay parameters. For example the concentration of compound used, the pH of the buffer, the instrument used for data collection or the timepoints of the experiment.

Thus the ASSAY_PARAM file can be used to assign a list of parameters to an AIDX, which must be defined in the ASSAY file.

It is possible to store multiple parameters for one assay. Depositors can set their own parameters, but should use the same description for a type of data every time it is entered; for example, you must not use both CONC and CONCENTRATION if they are both referring to the same sort of concentration data.

Either a numeric VALUE or a TEXT_VALUE can be given for a single parameter; if a numeric value is given then it must include a relation, for example =, < or >.

Header	Description	Existence	Data Type
AIDX	The AIDX established by the depositor in the ASSAY file - a foreign key	Mandatory	Any character up to a length of 200
TYPE	The type of parameter. Must be unique within an AIDX	Mandatory	Any character up to a length of 250
RELATION	Symbol indicating relationship between the Type and the Value (permitted: '>','<','=','~','<=','>=','<<','>>')	Optional (Mandatory if VALUE is given)	Any relation symbol (=, >, <, ~, <=, >=, >>, <<) up to a length of 50
VALUE	The numerical value of the parameter.	Optional	Any number (including decimals, negatives and scientific notation (e.g. 3×10^2))
UNITS	The units of the parameter measurement	Optional	Any character up to a length of 100
TEXT_VALUE	The text value of non-numerical values	Optional	Any character up to a length of 4000
COMMENTS	A comment on the parameter.	Optional	Any character up to a length of 4000

• AIDX and TYPE are both mandatory.

• A VALUE requires an entry in the RELATION field. A TEXT_VALUE requires that RELATION is empty.

• It is a many-to-one mapping, so you can store multiple parameters for one assay.

• Depositors can set their own TYPE, but you need to use the same TYPE string for each form of data. For example, you may not use both CONC and CONCENTRATION as TYPEs if they are both referring to the same sort of concentration data.

• AIDX must match an existing AIDX used by the depositor in a previous deposition; if an existing AIDX is reused this could overwrite the previously loaded data.