# ASSAY\_PARAM.tsv - Adding additional assay information.

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 >.

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="150">Header</th><th width="262">Description</th><th width="150">Existence</th><th width="181">Datatype rule</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Header</td><td>Description</td><td>Existence</td><td>Data Type</td></tr><tr><td><strong>AIDX</strong></td><td>The AIDX established by the depositor in the ASSAY file - a foreign key</td><td><strong>Mandatory</strong></td><td>Any character up to a length of 200</td></tr><tr><td><strong>TYPE</strong></td><td>The type of parameter. Must be unique within an AIDX</td><td><strong>Mandatory</strong></td><td>Any character up to a length of 250</td></tr><tr><td>RELATION</td><td>Symbol indicating relationship between the Type and the Value (permitted: '>','&#x3C;','=','~','&#x3C;=','>=','&#x3C;&#x3C;','>>')</td><td><p></p><p>Optional <strong>(Mandatory if VALUE is given)</strong></p></td><td><p>Any relation symbol </p><p>(=, >, &#x3C;, ~, &#x3C;=, >=, >>, &#x3C;&#x3C;)  up to a length of 50</p></td></tr><tr><td>VALUE</td><td>The numerical value of the parameter.</td><td>Optional</td><td>Any number (including decimals, negatives and scientific notation (e.g. 3×10^2))</td></tr><tr><td>UNITS</td><td>The units of the parameter measurement</td><td>Optional</td><td>Any character up to a length of 100</td></tr><tr><td>TEXT_VALUE</td><td>The text value of non-numerical values</td><td>Optional</td><td>Any character up to a length of 4000</td></tr><tr><td>COMMENTS</td><td>A comment on the parameter.</td><td>Optional</td><td>Any character up to a length of 4000</td></tr></tbody></table>

* **AIDX** and **TYPE** are both **mandatory.**&#x20;
* A **VALUE** requires an entry in the **RELATION** fiel&#x64;**.** A **TEXT\_VALUE** requires that RELATION is empty.
* It is a many-to-one mapping, so you can store multiple parameters for one assay.&#x20;
* 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.&#x20;
* **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.