V-DICE Data Format

V-DICE requires uploaded data to be in the CSV (Comma Separated Variable) format.

Each sample should be listed on a different row, with each repeat number separated by a comma.
- There should not be a comma at the end of the row.
The first row of the dataset can be a list of locus names (as shown in the example).
- If this is the case, the row should begin with a comma, and these locus names will be shown in the final report.
- If locus names are not included, the report will show the first value for each sample as locus 1, the second as locus 2, etc...

An example

,VNTR:1,VNTR:2,VNTR:3,VNTR:4,VNTR:5,VNTR:6
Sample_A,5.70,9.00,11.00,4.00,12.00,5.80
Sample_B,8.00,13.00,26.00,12.50,4.00,5.80
Sample_C,7.70,8.00,11.00,6.00,10.00,4.80
Sample_D,7.70,8.00,11.00,6.00,10.00,4.80
Sample_E,13.70,8.00,11.00,6.00,10.00,4.80

How to produce the correct format

1. The simplest way to create a dataset in this format is to use Excel and save the data as a CSV file. The following table would produce the example dataset shown above...

	VNTR:1	VNTR:2	VNTR:3	VNTR:4	VNTR:5	VNTR:6
Sample_A	5.7	9	11	4	12	5.8
Sample_B	8	13	26	12.5	4	5.8
Sample_C	7.7	8	11	6	10	4.8
Sample_D	7.7	8	11	6	10	4.8
Sample_E	13.7	8	11	6	10	4.8

2. Alternatively, there is a BioNumerics script that will export character data in the correct format. Simply run the script, save the output and upload the data to V-DICE.
The script can be downloaded from here (right-click on the link and select 'Save as')

References

Measurement of Diversity. Simpson E.H. (1949). Nature 163(4148):688

Numerical index of the discriminatory ability of typing systems: an application of Simpson's index of diversity. Hunter, P.R. and Gaston, M.A. (1988). J. Clin. Microbiol. 26(11), 2465-6.