Data quality assessment of ungated flow cytometry data in high throughput experiments

Cytometry A. 2007 Jun;71(6):393-403. doi: 10.1002/cyto.a.20396.

Abstract

Background: The recent development of semiautomated techniques for staining and analyzing flow cytometry samples has presented new challenges. Quality control and quality assessment are critical when developing new high throughput technologies and their associated information services. Our experience suggests that significant bottlenecks remain in the development of high throughput flow cytometry methods for data analysis and display. Especially, data quality control and quality assessment are crucial steps in processing and analyzing high throughput flow cytometry data.

Methods: We propose a variety of graphical exploratory data analytic tools for exploring ungated flow cytometry data. We have implemented a number of specialized functions and methods in the Bioconductor package rflowcyt. We demonstrate the use of these approaches by investigating two independent sets of high throughput flow cytometry data.

Results: We found that graphical representations can reveal substantial nonbiological differences in samples. Empirical Cumulative Distribution Function and summary scatterplots were especially useful in the rapid identification of problems not identified by manual review.

Conclusions: Graphical exploratory data analytic tools are quick and useful means of assessing data quality. We propose that the described visualizations should be used as quality assessment tools and where possible, be used for quality control.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Artifacts*
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Cell Separation / standards*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Computer Graphics*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Flow Cytometry / standards*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnosis
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
  • Humans
  • Miniaturization / standards
  • Quality Control
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Rituximab
  • Software*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Rituximab