Western Band Pattern Match

Compare western-blot band observations with caller-defined required and forbidden assay patterns.

Description

A Western blot records detected bands; a pattern rule specifies which bands must appear and which must be absent.

A Western blot records detected bands; a pattern rule specifies which bands must appear and which must be absent. The rule here is supplied by the caller, rather than selected from a clinical assay standard.

The tool returns missingRequiredBands (missing required bands); presentForbiddenBands (present forbidden bands); patternMatches (pattern matches). Input measurements and model parameters are supplied by the caller; the tool computes the stated summary rather than acquiring those measurements.

When to use Western Band Pattern Match

Use Western Band Pattern Match when you already have observedBands, requiredBands, forbiddenBands and want missingRequiredBands, presentForbiddenBands, patternMatches. This is useful for checking a supplied calculation, documenting a measurement convention, or comparing observations prepared on the same basis.

How to use Western Band Pattern Match and understand its results

Enter observedBands, requiredBands, forbiddenBands using the field table below. Match the units, ordering and data boundaries described in the calculation.
Run the tool after checking the stated bounds and matching paired observations or categories. A malformed request gives a tool error rather than a usable measurement.
Read missingRequiredBands, presentForbiddenBands, patternMatches. Use the calculation and interpretation below to distinguish amounts, ratios, signs and decision flags where applicable.
Review the supplied parameters and assumptions before using the result in a report or comparing it with another observation.

Input field	Meaning	Value type and bounds	Requirement
observedBands	Observed bands	list of string	Required
requiredBands	Required bands	list of string	Required
forbiddenBands	Forbidden bands	list of string	Required

Observed bands are put into a set, then compared with distinct required bands and a disjoint forbidden list. Extra bands outside those lists do not affect the match.

match = (missing required bands = 0) AND (observed forbidden bands = 0)

The symbols refer to the supplied quantities or generated values described above; unit conversions and comparison boundaries follow the stated implementation.

json

{
  "input": {
    "observedBands": [
      "A",
      "C"
    ],
    "requiredBands": [
      "A",
      "B"
    ],
    "forbiddenBands": [
      "D"
    ]
  },
  "output": {
    "missingRequiredBands": [
      "B"
    ],
    "presentForbiddenBands": [],
    "patternMatches": false
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

Band identity is compared exactly; intensity, specimen quality and assay-specific diagnostic interpretation are outside the calculation.

Numerical inputs must be finite. The tool checks its declared input shape and calculation constraints; those checks do not verify the quality, calibration or representativeness of the supplied observations.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Multiplex Target Decode: Decode multiplex target detections while preserving the supplied assay-control validity flag. ELISA Cutoff Index: Calculate a blank-corrected ELISA cutoff index using the supplied assay cutoff.

Methodological background: DPDx: diagnostic procedures.^[1]

References

DPDx: diagnostic procedures — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Similar or alternative tools

Multiplex Target Decode
Decode multiplex target detections while preserving the supplied assay-control validity flag.
ELISA Cutoff Index
Calculate a blank-corrected ELISA cutoff index using the supplied assay cutoff.