NanoString - See More Features

Explore nCounter datasets like never before

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Explore Gene Expression visually and interactively with deep interpretation.

Seamlessly sift and sort through Differentially expressed genes. Investigate top pathways, change cut-offs and validate gene signatures.

Interactive Plots

Interpretation from more than 20 leading knowledge bases

Differentially expressed genes

Details for every gene

Advanced platform capabilities inside a simple to use dashboard

Explore your data immediately and stop waiting for results. Seamlessly create new filters to experiment with cut-off values while your interactive plots and interpretation are updated in moments.

Implement covariate corrections and easily understand the trade-offs & benefits

Create unlimited cut-off filters with multiple fold change and p-adjusted parameters

Group by fold change, such as up & down clusters

Sort by fold change, such as alphabetical & pValue

Select, search and create new gene lists and signatures

Choose your favorite color scheme for plot publishing

Create new filters to adjust cut-offs and focus on genes of interest

Experiment with different cut-off values to update plots and explore updated interpretation of enriched genes. Why wait for days when you can explore your data now?

Define a unique filter name

Select an easily identifiable icon color and initial

Set Filter Parameters for up-regulation, down-regulation and pValue

Download and export of filtered gene expression data

Download publication-ready figures with clear explanations for every Scientist.

Every plot and figure is rendered for high-quality and downloadable in multiple formats.

Choose format and download (PNG, SVG and CSV)

Expand current plot to full-size and hide the explanation

Links to industry resources for additional explanation

Focus on genes of interest using Gene Lists and Signatures to rapidly assess every experiment.

Create, collaborate and update gene lists so that you can discover and focus on the most important signatures across oceans of data. Each plot dynamically updates when a new list is selected.

Select or Create New Gene List

Heatmap and Volcano Plot display only the genes from the selected list that pass the current fold change and pValue filter

The informational blue bar indicates how many genes from the selected list are not present in the current filter

Create new lists from selected genes

Remove genes

Add genes and entire pathways to the current list

All plots dynamically update in real-time to showcase changes made

Navigate the most significant pathways and enriched terms with a simple click.

ROSALIND Knowledge Bases provide interpretation based on the gene enrichment for each filter you create. Navigate the details of every term including Pathways, Gene Ontology, Proteins and many others.

Visually explore your results across any pathway or term with one click

Tooltips provide extended information for every gene and sample

Learn more from NCBI on each gene with the bottom bar magnifier

Dive even deeper into pathway interpretation by clicking the knowledge base magnifer

Dive deeper into the pathways and the networks that connect them

Pathways are shown and sorted by significance. Review the number of genes in each term, including totals for up and down regulated genes.

Click on a term to display genes within the current fold change and pVal filter

Click on a gene to display all significant pathways

Sort genes by fold change, alphabetical or pValue significance

Toggle the gene list area into more Interactive plots

Change to any ROSALIND Knowledge Base with one click

Toggle between pValue and pAdj sorting

Download complete set of all pathway interpretation details

Click the golden magnifier to access annotated pathway diagrams

Access rich pathway diagrams colored by gene expression levels

Experience pathway diagrams with detailed descriptions, annonated fold change colors, and gene heatmaps.

Interact with the pathway diagram to see corresponding genes highlight on the left

Interact with the gene list to see corresponding genes highlight in the pathway diagram

Access external references through the pathway magnifier

Download publication-ready pathway diagrams in preferred colors

PAUSE PLAY SKIP
Explore Genes
Advanced Controls
Create Filters
Customize Plots
Gene Lists
Interpretation
Explore Pathways
Pathway Diagrams
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How to Analyze NanoString nCounter Data with ROSALIND

Empowering Scientists to Accelerate Time to Discovery

OVERVIEW


ROSALIND is a cloud platform that connects researchers from experiment design to quality control, differential expression and pathway exploration in a real-time collaborative environment.

Scientists of every skill level benefit from ROSALIND since no programming or bioinformatics experience are required. By accepting raw RCC files directly off the nCounter instrument, ROSALIND enables powerful downstream analysis and truly insightful visualizations on gene expression datasets. Results are prepared in minutes for every NanoString nCounter Data analysis with an interactive experience designed for ease of use, real-time collaboration and saving valuable time.

HOW TO ANALYZE DIFFERENTIAL GENE EXPRESSION


ROSALIND enables scientists and researchers to analyze and interpret differential gene expression without the need for bioinformatics or programming skills. All that is required is basic background in biology and a current subscription or active trial. No downloads of nSolver software are required since ROSALIND operates in a browser and performs the identical statistical calculations that previously would have been performed in nSolver.

Biological questions can also be explored independently, or in conjunction with, uploaded experiment data as ROSALIND automates the import of public data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Short Read Archive (SRA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).

DISCOVERY CAPABILITIES


CHECK Analyze NanoString RNA & micro RNA panels
CHECK Record experiment design and custom attributes
CHECK Capture metadata with NCBI BioSample attributes
CHECK Perform covariate & batch corrections
CHECK Setup comparisons using biological attributes
CHECK Create gene filters to adjust cut-off parameters
CHECK Download publication-ready figures and plots
CHECK Discover gene signatures and create gene lists
CHECK Explore pathway, disease & drug knowledge bases
CHECK Real-time collaboration & results sharing
CHECK Re-use existing samples for new experiments
CHECK Import NCBI Short Read Archive Public Data
CHECK Find patterns across datasets with Meta-Analyses
CHECK Analyze multi-omic experiments & assays
“ I can now design and access my sequencing analysis within hours, and I have much more confidence in my results.” Icon-arrow
Amanda Lauque, The Scripps Research Institute
Amanda Lauque The Scripps Research Institute

FIVE STEPS TO SUCCESS WITH NANOSTRING


ROSALIND simplifies data analysis and works like a data hub interconnecting every stage of data interpretation. The ROSALIND Gene Expression discovery experience enables visual exploration and self-investigation of experiment results to give researchers the freedom to adjust cut-offs, add comparisons, apply covariate corrections, and even find patterns across multiple datasets, without the need for bioinformatic expertise. There are five easy steps to performing nCounter data analysis on ROSALIND.

1. EXPERIMENT DESIGN

Starting a NanoString data analysis begins with creating a new experiment and capturing the experiment design. ROSALIND walks through the key aspects of an experiment in a guided experience to record biological objectives, sample attributes and analysis parameters. These details become the basis of the experiment discovery dashboard. Researchers who publish papers and work with NCBI public data know the importance of natively supporting NCBI data models. ROSALIND fully supports the NCBI BioProject and BioSample models for metadata assignment and sample attribute descriptions. ROSALIND also enables scientists to create custom attributes to describe biological behaviors in terms relevant to the experiment. Setup of comparisons is simplified by describing and annotating samples using these familiar terms. This methodology minimizes the risk of differential expression errors when selecting samples for comparison.

For the NanoString nCounter Analysis System, ROSALIND provides scientists with a choice: a) Begin with raw RCC files produced on the nCounter instrument, or b) Use normalized data that has been processed and exported by nSolver. This provides flexibility for scientists to utilize the ROSALIND discovery experience to visualize and interpret data regardless of the data source. When analyzing raw RCC files, ROSALIND streamlines data analysis using a specialized pipeline that follows the NanoString guidelines for Advanced Analysis, includes intelligent quality control with automatic anomaly detection, Cell Type Profiler, identification of differentially expressed genes and deep pathway interpretation. Visit the technical specifications section to learn more about the ROSALIND NanoString data analysis pipeline and available reference materials.

For optimal NanoString results, an analysis pipeline must consider the panels used, genes detected and control levels before performing normalization or calculating fold changes. ROSALIND integrates and supports all gene expression and miRNA panels, including those with custom content, such as the COVID-19 Panel Plus spike-in kit. Each panel is automatically detected with the target species. In the case of custom panels, ROSALIND provides a broad list of available species and attempts to match those with the highest levels of corresponding genes.

2. EVALUATING NANOSTRING QUALITY CONTROL

Researchers must be confident in the quality control phase before gathering insights from an experiment, otherwise the results of the analysis should not be trusted. Biology’s mysteries are elusive and complex. Time should not be lost chasing corrective measures for outliers, swapped samples and the many other errors that can occur in the course of a well-designed experiment.

Some of the most important Quality Control metrics to verify are Imaging Quality, Binding Density, Limit of Detection, Control Linearity, Selection of Housekeeping Genes, Sample Correlation and multidimensional scaling (MDS) or principal component analysis (PCA) for all samples. When ROSALIND detects low imaging quality, binding density or limit of detection, an alert is provided and the values are highlighted in the QC. Researchers can eliminate offending samples and the deleterious effects on results by identifying the sample as an outlier and move confidently into the discovery and exploration phase of results interpretation.

ROSALIND Quality Control Intelligence identifies potential data quality issues and triages the data before presenting the results. This eliminates the needs for researchers to be experts in Sequencing quality control issues. Learn how researchers gain confidence in their results through Quality Control Intelligence.

3. UNLOCKING RESULTS

After a researcher has reviewed the quality control phase the interactive presentation of results is ready to begin. The next step is to unlock the experiment. ROSALIND calculates the quantity of Analysis Units (“AU”) required to unlock the results. This is generally 1 AU per single-sample RCC file for NanoString experiments, however this may differ based on counts files or other experiment parameters. Account balances and quick links for acquiring more AU are directly accessible from the unlock screen. To learn more about Analysis Units, check out the Q&A in the section below, or visit the ROSALIND Store.

4. ANALYSIS & DISCOVERY

To date, NanoString nCounter data has been analyzed using nSolver’s powerful desktop solution to import, normalize and calculate differentially expressed genes. ROSALIND enables a new, unique approach that is cloud-based and empowers scientists to collaborate and visually explore their NanoString nCounter data while providing the peace of mind that the settings and methods are approved by NanoString.

ROSALIND extends nSolver by providing an online, simplified experience for differential expression analysis and interpretation of NanoString nCounter data. This experience begins with a discovery dashboard that shows the list of significant differentially expressed genes determined by a calculated cut-off filter. Default settings for the filter begin with a fold change of 1.5 upregulated and 1.5 downregulated with a p-Adjust of 0.05. Further adjustments to achieve a significant set of genes are performed by ROSALIND, if desired by the scientist. Researchers may also create an unlimited set of their own customized filters using fold changes and p-Value parameters. Convenient on-screen controls are easily accessible for modifying these filters, adding covariant corrections, applying gene lists and signatures, and adjusting plot color palettes. In the ROSALIND gene expression experience, scientists discover insights from deep interpretation of pathways, gene ontology, diseases and drug interactions that are presented through rich interactive plots that fill the screen and respond to interactions from the scientist, showing customizable heatmaps, volcano and MA plots as well as box and bar plots.

New comparisons and meta-analysis may be added at any time. Comparisons are created using BioProject attributes. Meta-analyses created can be cross experiments and multi-omic. Each of these perspectives are available within minutes of setup, reducing internal bioinformatic workload and enabling scientists to react fluidly by focusing directly on the science of the experiment.

5. COLLABORATING & SHARING RESULTS

The discovery process rarely ends with a single point of view from a single researcher opinion. ROSALIND Spaces enables true scientist-to-scientist collaboration through virtual data rooms where scientists and collaborators can come together on related datasets anywhere in the world to interactively explore shared experiments much like working with Google Docs. Researchers access a consistent version of the data, without the need to transfer unwieldy files or reinterpret origin files. All changes are interactive, instantly available, and viewable everywhere in the world (as authorized by the organization) with real-time activity feeds and historical reports. Spaces participants can add experiments, explore pathways, change cut-offs, add meta-analyses and add new comparisons all within the shared collaborative environment.

Spaces are virtual meeting rooms where scientists meet with niche experts, clients and supporting teams to maximize the discovery value of every experiment and prepare for the next one.

COMPREHENSIVE GENE EXPRESSION ANALYSIS


CHECK Import from RCC Files or normalized counts exported from nSolver
CHECK Natively supports Cell Type Profiling to to measure the relative abundance of immune cell types
CHECK Optimized for nearly every NanoString Panel to make the most of every gene
CHECK Intelligent quality control and score assessment with automated detection
CHECK Quantification and normalization of sample reads
CHECK Normalization of sample reads
CHECK Calculation of read distribution, fold changes, dispersion and p-values
CHECK Automated gene clustering in heatmaps
CHECK Functional enrichment analysis of pathways, gene ontology, domain structure and other ontologies
CHECK Securely store experiment results and raw data files

HIGHLIGHTS

DESIGNED FOR SCIENTISTS

ROSALIND is designed for the Scientist, so you can focus on the biology and science without having to invest months and months trying to learn bioinformatics, programming or biostatistics

POWERFUL

Capable of performing advanced analyses including contamination detection, covariate correction, batch correction and multi-omic analyses

EASE OF USE

Utilizing a clean, intuitive and immersive user interface, Scientists new to the platform ramp quickly with little training to focus on discovery

RICH DATA VISUALIZATION

Explore experiment results in high-quality, publiction-ready, interactive diagrams and plots

PATHWAY INTERPRETATION

Discover significant Pathways, biological functions and processes through gene enrichment analysis with more than 20 leading knowledge bases

START FROM RCC or NORMALIZED DATA

Start new experiments by importing RCC files from nCounter instruments, or nSolver normalized data

TRUSTED PIPELINES BUILT-IN

Built-in pipelines are tuned to utilize industry standard, widely published bioinformatics tools. For more information, review the ROSALIND specifications and method section

SECURITY AND ENCRYPTION

Every communication and data transfer on ROSALIND is encrypted and secured. Multiple layers of data protection ensure availability

SUPPORTED INSTRUMENTS


PARTNER
CHECK nCounter MAX Analysis System
CHECK nCounter FLEX with Dx Enablement
CHECK nCounter SPRINT Profiler

SUPPORTED PANELS *


CHECK Breast Cancer 360™️ Panel
CHECK PanCancer IO 360™️ Panel
CHECK Tumor Signaling 360 Panel
CHECK CAR-T Characterization Panel
CHECK Metabolic Pathways Panel
CHECK PanCancer Pathways Panel
CHECK PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel
CHECK PanCancer Progression Panel
CHECK Autoimmune Profiling Panel
CHECK Autoimmune Discovery Panel
CHECK Fibrosis Panel
CHECK Human Organ Transplant Panel
CHECK Immunology Panels
CHECK Myeloid Panels
CHECK NHP Immunology Panel
CHECK miRNA Panels
CHECK Neuropathology Panels
CHECK Neuroinflammation Panels
CHECK Mouse & Human AD Panels
CHECK Glial Profiling Panels

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Q

I am not a bioinformatician. Can I really perform my own analysis?

A

Absolutely and other scientists just like you run their own analyses on ROSALIND everyday. To learn more how to get started, check out the ROSALIND Quick Start Guide here.


Q

What types of Gene Expression experiments are supported?

A

The ROSALIND Gene Expression discovery experience supports RNA-seq, NanoString gene and miRNA panels, and Micro-Array (via counts).


Q

What types of input files are supported?

A

For Gene Expression experiments, FASTQ files and count files are supported. Compressed FASTQs will have faster upload times. Supported file types: .FASTQ, .FASTQ.GZ, .CSV, .TXT, .RCC (NanoString only)


Q

What is an Analysis Unit and how is it used on ROSALIND?

A

Sample that are processed on ROSALIND require an Analysis Unit to unlock the ROSALIND discovery experience. Analysis Units are already included in most subscriptions on ROSALIND. Additional Analysis Units may be purchased in packs of 10 or 50 from the ROSALIND Store. Analysis Units do not expire. A current subscription is required to utilize Analysis Units. Enterprise Subscriptions provide additional flexibility for high-volume environments. Please contact sales to learn more Sales@OnRamp.Bio


Q

What is considered a Sample?

A

Any sample that is prepared for processing on an instrument is considered a Sample for ROSALIND. If a Scientists decides to take two (2) aliquots of the original sample to have replicates and prepares library for each, this would be considered two (2) Samples on ROSALIND. On the other hand, a Sample may have mutliple files associated with it, depending how sequencing is performed. A single sample may be single-end, paired-end and also multi-lane and will still be considered as one (1) Sample.


Q

Can I download my results and plots?

A

Yes. All plots, diagrams, unprocessed and final processed data files are downloadable on ROSALIND. Look for the Download buttons to access publication-ready figures as well as to download all experiment datasets.

Reach Deeper, Explore and Discover More.

Begin Exploring Today

Now available free of charge to all NanoString nCounter users!

CHECK Learn how ROSALIND can transform your nCounter analyses and collaboration
CHECK Easy step-by-step walkthrough to complete your first experiment in under 5 minutes
CHECK Gain access to new capabilities and work closely with OnRamp & NanoString experts

GUIDE GUIDE