A Data Table is a table that includes Data Rows storing references to an inventory item or pieces of data coming from a DNA Assembly Report. They are listed on a library view under the Workflow Management Toolkit.

Since they are part of this Toolkit, Data Tables can be used to automate processes and keep track of and organize our biological entities in the lab. Even though they belong to the same library, data tables can have different formats, as the information contained on them can be different.

Sometimes, a single workflow can have several steps that use Data Tables. In this case, TeselaGen groups them into what we call a Data Set. This is a collection of Data Tables, files, DNA Assembly Reports, and other data entities that are associated.

Next, let's see how we can use them.

There are many ways to use our data tables. Either to store sets of information or to automate processes in the lab, here are some examples of how to use them:

Several Tools use data tables to run their processes (PCR Planning and Inventory Check, Run Query, Sample Screening, etc.). Some tools need to take a data table as input to run the process, while others produce a data table as output. As said above, each data table type contains different information, and each tool uses or produces a specific type to work.

When using them as input, we can select the data table(s) to be used while running the tool:

On the other hand, when obtaining them as output, we will see the data table format, with information on it (this changes depending on the tool).

If we incorporate these tools into a workflow, we can use the data tables generated by a tool as input for the next step of our automated process. In this way, those data tables will be part of our automations. Next, let's review how we can document our data tables on the ELN.

The Electronic Laboratory Notebook is the place where you can document your laboratory information using entries, which you can use to keep track of your experiments or sign documents as part of your official documentation. To incorporate a data table into an ELN entry, type the "at" [@] symbol to search entities, where a list of the data sets/tables available in the library will be displayed:

The visualization of a data table into an entry will look like this:

This is an easy way to visualize the content of your data table; however, if you need to see the materials linked or edit the data table, you can click on the table's name to go to the corresponding entry.

🚨NOTE: Data tables generated by a DNA Assembly Report can't be edited.

Data Tables can also be used as Extended Properties to add extra information to a biological entity. To link them, you need to create a new type of Extended Property by navigating to TeselaGen Settings > Extended Properties and creating a new type and indicating the entity type that we want to use and using "Data Table" as the target item type.

Once the new extended property is created, it can be used to add information to a biological entity (in this case, a DNA Part):

This use of data tables is particularly useful to associate data to aliquots and samples, and add extended information about them and the content of each sample.

TeselaGen uses different Data Table templates with specific information. As we saw on the section above, the information contained on them depends on the tool that used them as input or generated it as output. However, you can customize your own to add specific fields. To do it, go to Settings > Type Settings > Data Table Types.

Once we're there, click on "New Data Table Type" and customize it!

You can add as many fields as needed, with different types depending on the information that you need to add.