Computerised transfer and processing of data from experiments measuring cellular proliferation by incorporation of...

One of the major endpoints of cellular immunological tests remains the quantitative assessment of lymphocyte proliferation as estimated from incorporation of tritiated thymidine into dividing cells. These data are usually generated by beta scintillation counting as strings of counts per minute which require considerable data reduction and processing. A computer system for the collection, transfer, presentation, processing and storage of these data is outlined here. This is based on modules operating from a basic system of maximal simplicity and flexibility in which data are stored in ASCII files and where the particular data processing requirements of different investigators can be easily met. This is exemplified by using a number of examples from the authors' own experiments, also illustrating the point that proliferative responses of non-lymphoid cells can be processed in the same way. In addition, suggestions are made concerning the standardisation of data processing for the exchange of results between different laboratories collaborating in large scale investigations, for example, the International Histocompatibility Workshops.