LabKey Server NAb: A tool for analyzing, visualizing and sharing results from neutralizing antibody assays

We present LabKey Server's NAb tool for organizing, analyzing and securely sharing data, files and results for neutralizing antibody (NAb) assays, including the luciferase-based TZM-bl NAb assay. The customizable tool supports high-throughput experiments and includes a graphical plate template designer, allowing researchers to quickly adapt calculations to new plate layouts. The tool calculates the percent neutralization for each serum dilution based on luminescence measurements, fits a range of neutralization curves to titration results and uses these curves to estimate the neutralizing antibody titers for benchmark dilutions. Results, curve visualizations and raw data files are stored in a database and shared through a secure, web-based interface. NAb results can be integrated with other data sources based on sample identifiers. It is simple to make results public after publication by updating folder security settings.Standardized tools for analyzing, archiving and sharing assay results can improve the reproducibility, comparability and reliability of results obtained across many labs. LabKey Server and its NAb tool are freely available as open source software at http://www.labkey.com webcite under the Apache 2.0 license. Many members of the HIV research community can also access the LabKey Server NAb tool without installing the software by using the Atlas Science Portal (https://atlas.scharp.org webcite). Atlas is an installation of LabKey Server.Standardized techniques for measuring neutralizing antibody (NAb) response to infectious agents are important tools for studies that address pathogenesis and vaccine development. Without proper standardization, variability in techniques can obscure differences in the quality and quantity of antibody responses. Luciferase-based reporter gene assays have been developed to assess the activity of a range of neutralizing antibodies [1-5]. For example, the TZM-bl NAb assay for HIV-1, SIV and SHIV provides a standard method for