Compilation and processing

When the analyses are completed, we leave the laboratory and continue to work in our offices.

• All raw data are controlled by the project manager and quality assured.
• In many cases, we have conducted several analyses on the same sample, in such cases mean values and information about the spread of the data sets are calculated.
• Data from analysis and experiments are compared with data from untreated controls whenever possible. Do we see a statistically significant difference?
• The raw data in the form of sequences from analyses of DNA and RNA require bioinformatic analysis and treatment which can be significant before the results can be reported.
• Analysis reports from many of our chromatographic instruments are processed and interpreted against control samples and various databases.

When all the data have been checked and treated, they are compiled into tables and figures to be used in the report or publication.

The figure shows the final results from DNA analysis of microorganisms from biofilms from groundwater. The figure comes from the following publication (see references): Pedersen, K., A. Bengtsson, J. Edlund & L. Eriksson, 2014. Geomicrobiology Journal 31(7):617-631.