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Data Standards For Laboratory Assays

Data standards promote the efficient data sharing, data interoperability, data interpretability, and reuse of data and software. Exact standards and associated metadata will vary by scientific area, study design, characteristics of the dataset and data type. Employing data type-specific standards provides a uniform framework that maximizes compatibility with existing tools and resources and the reuse potential of the data. 


Data standards were developed with input from data generators (RMIP investigators and the In-depth Cell Characterization Hub), the NHLBI Data Management Core, and NIH colleagues using the BDC Request for Comment framework.


The linked document describes the proposed standards for common laboratory approaches including cytokine profiles, cell viability assays, macrophage activation, macrophage polarization, multi-lineage differentiation, mycoplasma testing, and immunoblots.

  • Definition of raw data
  • File formats
  • Terminology and vocabulary
  • Required metadata 


BDC-Draft-RFC-26_NHLBI BioData Catalyst Data Standards for Laboratory Assay Profiles


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