In a data review and visualization workflow, complex high-value kinetic assay results had to be QC-ed prior to multiparametric dose-response curve fitting and a handoff to Spotfire. The amount of cross-referenced data was too large for QC in Excel, so the Client reached out to us.
To facilitate the data capture step the Client developed an Excel template with built-in basic data validation macros that also generated derived data on new worksheets. After a typical capture this template produced files with up to 200 worksheets with hundreds of rows each (!) describing multiple compounds tested at multiple doses over multiple time points. To be able to review and QC that data something more than another macro had to be created.
We designed and implemented a web application to read the raw data and perform a multi-step validation cascade in real time.
In the data review/QC web application that we developed, users received detailed diagnostics messages if after data capture any of the data validation rules were violated. The app has an option to select compounds/doses to drop if needed, accompanied by a QC summary report listing all the removed compounds. Once the validation was complete the app went on to run algorithmic analytics on the raw results: constrained dose-response curves were fit and overlayed for multiple sample and control compounds, followed by summarization.
Users would receive a PowerPoint report with one compound per page, containing annotated curve graphs and tabular summaries, all referenced back to the raw data. A second output item generated is a live Spotfire link to the processed derived data so users can start a visual QC step displaying the entire dataset in a condensed manner. The Spotfire visualization gives references back into the raw data.
About six months after the project was completed our Client received an internal innovation award for this collaborative work that enabled substantial productivity improvements at the company. We in turn received another services contract with this Client.
