Batch Correction loess removes blank samples from dataMatrix

Workflow4Metabolomics
#1

When I tried to use Quality metrics after a batch correction, I do have an error link to some samples that are missing in dataMatrix. After investigation all missing samples have sample Type set to blank that were removed by the batch correction function.

Can someone explain why blanks are removed?
Regards

#2

Well, they are removed because the linear/lowess/loess methods do not currently handle samples other than "pool" and "sample". You currently have two options:

  • retag your blanks as "sample" for the Batch correction step
  • use the all_loess methods that handle blanks.

Please note that handling blanks in linear/lowess/loess methods is on my list of ToDo along with other improvements about these methods.

1 J'aime
#3

Hi Melanie,

Thanks for the answer. Finding a "good" blank management is an important question/issue in metabolomics.
Yann