OBSERVATIONAL STUDY SOLUTIONS

LabKey Server enables a comprehensive view of disease incidence and progression over time by correlating observational data with a broad range of test results.


Sample Screens (click to enlarge)


Data for a Single Participant

Study Overview

A Study Portal Page



Research organizations use the LabKey Server platform to organize observational data collected from study participants over time, then associate collected data with experimental results, such as those obtained from microplate, LuminexTM, TZM-bl Neutralization (NAb), ELISA or ELISpot assays. Participants may be humans in an observational study or animals in a laboratory.

Study data flows into LabKey Server from several different sources:

  • Forms — Participants or observers fill out forms.  All form information is collected in the Study module. 
  • Assay Results — Assay results from labs are uploaded into a study and integrated with data collected on forms.
  • Specimen information — LabKey Server contains a specimen tracking and request module that tracks owners and quantities of specimens. It enables centralized administration of the specimen request process.

Once the datasets are loaded, researchers use LabKey Server to build relationships connecting participants, visits, forms, assays and specimens. The ability to connect this information for a broad range of assay data types is a key capability of LabKey server. Most comparable systems are limited to tracking clinical data only.

For analysis, data stored in LabKey Server can be displayed in several different ways:

  • Data grids can combine information from forms, assays and specimens.
  • Charts can track values across a study or display values for an individual over time.
  • External tools (such as R or SAS) can create custom charts or textual views.
  • Every view, report and dataset can be individually secured so that study team members see only appropriate data.
  • All data can be exported in Excel format.

Data flow patterns can be visualized as follows:

Study Data Flows

LabKey solutions are in active use for observational studies at CHAVI, CAVD (for Gates Foundation HIV Studies) and the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute.


Observational Study Solution Components

Observational Study Core

LabKey Server supports researcher-designed assay tracking over time, including web publishing of spreadsheet-sourced results, sample chain of custody management, and DataFaxTM integration.

Plate-based Assays

LabKey Server allows researchers to design customized, plate-based assays to describe structured experimental results, such as data gathered from microarray, LuminexTM, TZM-bl Neutralization (NAb) or ELISpot experiments.  Researchers can then upload, share and analyze experimental results associated with defined assays.

Collaboration Tools

LabKey Server provides tools for sharing information and ideas on public and private webs. It includes a wiki for sharing dynamic content, a message board for online discussions and an issue tracker for workflow management.

Administration and Installation Tools

LabKey Server provides fine-grained control over project structures and user permissions. Administrators can add specialized tools to customized projects and folders.

Developers

The LabKey Software Foundation provides the LabKey Developer Community Forum for programmers who seek to customize or extend LabKey Server.