RE:FCS3.0 etc
Randy T. Fischer (fischerr@vax.grc.nia.nih.gov)
Thu, 17 Jul 1997 09:25:15 +0100
I agree with both Marty and Gunter in the very important issue of
standardizing data formatting. I would point out that lobbying ISAC is
only, however, part of the answer. Regardless of what ISAC may choose to
recommend, it is still up to the manufacturers to implement what they want
to do, and if they do not agree with ISAC, then too bad for ISAC and the
flow community. A potentially more powerful force for change might be the
FDA, which regulates machines used in CLINICAL settings. If the FDA could
be persuaded to require all CLINICAL data be universally both accessible
and readable, then the manufacurers would be forced to upgrade machines and
software or lose theLUCRATIVE CLINICAL market. This would make analyzing
data from different sources easier, and could facilitate the exchange of
crucial clinical results from various trials where multiple sites and
machines are in use.
So how does this get done? Gunter (and Paul's agreeing response)
are correct this needs to be revisited at Asilomar, with perhaps an
additional idea. Any concrete standardization protocol, FCS3.0 or whatever
it ends up being designated, should be then presented to any and all
regulatory agencies by ISAC to ensure no individual manufacturer decides
FCS3.0 in their format is acceptable, even if it is not universally
readable.
Randy T. Fischer
NIA/NIH
GRC
Baltimore, MD 21224
fischerr@vax.grc.nia.nih.gov
CD-ROM Vol 3 was produced by Monica M. Shively and other staff at the
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If you have any comments please direct them to
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Phone: (765)-494-0757;
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