Friday, October 17, 2008

Uploading your data to iFinch

iFinch is a scaled down version of our V2 Finch system for genetic analysis. 

Unlike our larger, industrial strength systems, iFinch is designed for individual researchers, small labs, or teachers who want a trouble-free system for managing and working with genetic data.  Currently, students and teachers are using iFinch as part of the Bio-Rad Explorer Cloning and Sequencing kit.

I call iFinch "bioinformatics in a box." I've used iFinch in two bioinformatics courses and it's been pretty helpful. iFinch and FinchTV play nicely together and the combination works well for students.

You don't even have to get a computer for storing data or learn how to manage a database. We do all that for you and you use the system through the web. It's nice and painless.

**********NOTE***********
If you received an iFinch account from Bio-Rad, you will need to turn on your data processor before you begin uploading data.

Checking and starting your Finch data processor
1.  Log into your iFinch account.
2.  Find and select the Data Processor link in the System menu.

3. Look at the Data processor status.


4. If the Data processor has stopped, you will need to Restart it by selecting the Restart button.  If you are a student, you will need to have an instructor log in and do this.

Once your data processor has been started, you can go ahead and upload your data as shown in the movie below.


Uploading your data
The first thing we do with iFinch is to put our data into the iFinch database. In the movie, you can see how we upload chromatograms through the web interface.



iFinch can store any kind of file, but it really shines when it comes to working with chromatograms or genotyping data.

If you have lots of files (more than a few 96 well plates), we do have other systems for uploading data. But, that's another post and another movie.