In vitro information system for collection and analysis of experimental data.

The In Vitro information System (IVIS) provides for the collection, maintenance, analysis and reporting of mutagenesis data for the In Vitro Carcinogenesis Program of the Carcinogenesis Testing Program in the National Cancer Institute. Initial development or IVIS focused on the microbial mutagenicity assays conducted in a collaborative study in four laboratories. Information is collected about contract management, chemicals, microorganisms strain checks, preparation of activation enzymes, test results, and confirmation of mutation. IVIS provides for editing and maintenance of the information on computers at the National Institutes of Health. Analysis and reporting features were designed to assist both laboratory investigators and NCI staff in evaluating the mutagenic activity of test compounds. The analysis has focused on two principal goals: using the computer to examine the results of each test to determine if the test was adequate for a further statistical analysis; and secondly, if the plate counts are adequate, developing statistics that indicate whether there is a positive or negative trend. Reports have been developed for tabular displays of test results, frequency distributions, dose response graphs and statistical computations.