Import Assay Runs

 2024-04-18
The import process for instrument data using an assay design involves some steps that are consistent for all types of assays. The process can vary a bit depending on the the type of assay and features enabled. This topic covers the common steps for importing assay data.

Create an Assay Design

Before you import data into an assay design, you need a target assay design in your project. An assay design will correctly map the instrument data to how it will appear on the server.

If you don't already have an assay design in your project, an administrator or assay designer can create one following one of these processes. Only Admins and users with the "Assay Designer" role can design assays.

Once you have an assay design you can begin the process of uploading and importing the data into the design. In the following examples, the assay design is named "GenericAssay".

Upload Data Files to LabKey Server

Consider File Naming Conventions

Before uploading data files, consider how your files are named, in order to take advantage of LabKey Server's file grouping feature.

When you import data files into an assay design, LabKey Server tries to group together files that have the same name (but different file extensions). For example, if you are importing an assay data file named MyAssayRun1.csv, LabKey will group it together with other files (such as JPEGs, CQ files, metadata files, etc.), provided they have the same base name "MyAssayRun1" as the data record file.

Files grouped together in this way will be rendered together in the graphical flow chart (see below) and they can be exported together as a zip file.

Import Data into an Assay

  • In the Files web part, navigate to and select the files you want to import.
  • Click Import Data.
  • In the popup dialog, select the target assay design and click Import.

Enter Batch Properties

You are now on the page titled Data Import: Batch Properties. A batch is a group of runs, and batch properties will be used as metadata for all runs imported as part of this group. You can define which batch properties appear on this page when you design a new assay.

  • Enter any assay-specific properties for the batch.
  • Click Next.

Enter Run-Specific Properties and Import Data

The next set of properties are collected per-run, and while there are some commonalities, they can vary widely by type of assay, so please see the pages appropriate for your instrument. Review run-specific properties and documentation for importing data appropriate for your assay type:

  • Enter run-specific properties and specify the file(s) containing the data.
  • For some types of instrument data, there will be a Next link, followed by an additional page (or more) of properties to enter.
  • Click Save and Finish (or Save and Import Another Run if you selected additional files) to initiate the actual import.

Explore the runs grid in this topic:

Assay Event Logging

When you import an assay run, two new assay events are created:

  • Assay Data Loaded: This event records the new run you imported.
  • Added to Run Group: The new run is added to the batch with other runs in the same import.

Assay Data and Original Files

In the case of a successful import, the original Excel file will be attached to the run so you can refer back to it. The easiest way to get to it is usually to click on the flow chart icon for the run in the grid view. You'll see all of the related files on that page.

Once you have imported a file you cannot import it, or another file of the same name, using the same method. If you need to repeat an import, either because the data in the file has been updated or to apply an updated import process, use the process covered in Re-import Assay Runs.

For failed import attempts, the server will leave a copy of the file at yourFolder/assaydata/uploadTemp. The subdirectories under uploadTemp have GUIDs for names -- identify your file based on the created/modified date on the directory itself.

Related Topics

Specific import processes for specific instrument data types: